I had 3 goals for this race. Minimum goal - 1:45, realistic goal - 1:40, and stretch - 1:35. Having never raced...or even run this distance before I was not quite sure what to expect. My longest run before this had been 10.8 in a couple of training runs. Planned to take an Accel gel at 5 and 10.

I figured I would try to stay with the 3:20 marathon pace group and see how I felt. The first mile was understandably slow as we dodged left and right to pass walkers (why they were at the front I can't understand) and slower runners. There were about 8 of us running together, which I really enjoyed. Having a group to stay with made the miles a lot easy. Even had some short conversations with the pace leaders and the other runners.

The first two miles my feet felt like bricks. Not heavy, just hard. They finally thawed out after the two mile mark.

Miles 3-6 were pretty much straight down hill, so we were flying. We backed off a little bit after the 10K point. Took an Accel gel at 4.5 miles and had some water (aide stations were at 1/2 mile points).

Mile 8 we turned north a little bit and hit the wind. Yikes that was cold. Started feeling blisters forming under both big toes. Socks were too thin. Other than the blisters, I hit the aide station at 9.5 still feeling great. Took my second Accel gel and had some water.

Got to the 11 mile mark and said aloud that I had never run that far before. Was encouraged by the pace group leader, who said I was doing great for having never gone that far before. That helped.

Then I saw the 12 mile mark. Hit it right under 1:30. Legs still had some juice left but the blisters were starting to get painful. Still, I wanted to see if I could crack 1:37:30 (a 3:15 pace). I thanked everyone in my pace group for the lift and took off. I was flying. Passing people left and right. Saw the fork for the 1/2 finish and the marathon course and got a big smile on my face. Turned left and was shocked to see the finish line so close. Hit the jets with what I had left and crossed at 1:37:26 .

Unfortunately my chip didn't work, so I don't have my official time. I've heard lots of issues with peoples chips. Good thing I had a watch.

Wore the right amount of clothes, but the socks were no bueno. I need to get a good pair of running-specific socks. I have socks for biking, why not running? I'm going to move up to run the marathon in Austin (or somewhere) next winter, so I need to have good running socks that won't blister my feet.

Grabbed a banana, a blue Powerade, and (yum) a package of Nutter Butters. Got my picture taken, found my clothing drop off bag, and put on my sweatshirt, windpants, and changed socks. Walked back to the finish turn and tried to encourage the runners by telling them they only had about 200 yards to the finish. Did that for about an hour until Shannon came in. She had been on a 2:45 pace but started cramping up after the 10K mark. She finished at 3:05.

Unfortunately, by the 3:05 mark, they had run out of food at the finish. Apparently a bunch of marathoners quit at the 1/2 mark and ate all the food before everyone had finished. All that was left for Shannon was pretzels. Poor planning by the officials there.


Nothing. Blisters didn't really slow me down, but they would have if I had been going any farther. Maybe next time a faster pace group?


This is probably my best race ever.

Very cold (for Austin) conditions didn't get me down. Having done all my long runs this winter at 5 AM, I was used to running a long way in 20-40 degree weather.

The course was fast and enjoyable. Lots of cheering from the brave folks who were out in the cold. Parking congestion at the start was poor, and post-race food was lacking, but these things happen.

For my first half marathon, I couldn't be happier with my performance.