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Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Loveland, Colorado
United States
Running Events Management
34F / 1C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 21m 17s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Stayed at a nearby hotel. Set the alarm for 6:30. Got up and dressed, grabbed an English muffin with PB and a coffee and headed to the race.


Event warmup:

Stayed in the car until about 8:15 to keep the muscles from getting tight. No real warm-up, figured I had 13 miles to get warm. Just as the start buzzer sounded I peeled off the sweatshirt and gave it to DH.
Run
  • 2h 21m 17s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 47s  min/mile
Comments:

The start was pretty crowded. I just settled in to a comfortable pace and went with the flow when needed. By about mile one the crowd had thinned out and I settled in to a great pace. In the second mile I realized I needed a (another) porta potty stop. Fortunately there was one at the first water station just after mile two.

Once that was taken care of I got back in to my groove. I just kept going, no desire to stop and rest. It was awesome! at about mile 5 we passed back by the initial water stop then there was a slight climb up to the county roads. I took this opportunity to eat my gel and get a drink of water. This was my first drink, probably because it was cool. I didn't feel thirsty but the water tasted good.

The country roads were nice. We ran along the bike lane. At about mile 8 I started to feel an urge to walk. I convinced myself to slow down a bit and go till mile 9 before walking a few steps. That worked out becaue there was a water station at about 9. They had Heed too so took a cup of that. Blech. Water please!

Between 9 and the finish a walked a few steps a couple more times but each time I was able to convice myself to go further. This is progress!

I was so happy with this race and I can see why so many people say that HM is their favorite distance.
What would you do differently?:

Absolutely nothing. I hadn't prepared for this race. It was a last minute decision so I intended to take it easy. But I still stretched myself mentally.
Post race
Warm down:

Put my feet up for a few minutes then had some bananas and an orange. Then went for an eggnog dirty chai at Starbucks!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

lack of training for this race

Event comments:

I gave this one an average mostly because of the lack of ability to get information. The course is beautiful and well marked so the lack of a lot of volunteers isn't a big drawback. There is no website from which to get information. The only info is what is listed on Active.com. I can't find any listing of race times/ranks. Not a big deal for me because I was just running my run, but this could be a problem for more competative types. Also, as I recall there were aid stations at 2, 5 and 9. Again, I had heard this might be the case (from reading prior years RRs on BT) so I brought my own water.

The finish line had finishers medals for the HM, plenty of fruit and water and pancakes for people who could eat pancakes after running 13 miles.

I would do this one again because the course was great, but have no other expectations.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2012-11-01 12:00 AM
Running
02:21:17 | 13.1 miles | 10m 47s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Course: The course did a lap and a half around some small ponds then followed country roads to a nearby state park, then up and around that lake. A great course! I really enjoyed it.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? No
Plenty of drinks? No
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 3

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2012-11-03 9:53 PM

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Master
6595
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Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon


2012-11-03 10:17 PM
in reply to: #4482371

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Elite
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Lakewood, CO
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
nice job, way to stretch yourself mentally.  Interesting to read about the race.  I saw it on a schedule and had thought about doing it....
2012-11-03 10:25 PM
in reply to: #4482371

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Master
4452
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Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Nice work TJ.  The mental race is harder than the physical race I think!  Way to stay strong. 
2012-11-03 10:36 PM
in reply to: #4482371

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Master
6595
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Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
I learned I CAN push myself mentally. Even on a race this distance. That alone was worth the price of admission.
2012-11-03 11:26 PM
in reply to: #4482371

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Master
2770
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Central Kansas
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon

Mmmm. Pancakes. I could eat pancakes any time, even after running 13.1 miles.

This sounds like a fun race. I'm glad you had a good run.

2012-11-04 8:01 AM
in reply to: #4482371

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Master
7712
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Orlando
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Way to stay mentally strong - that is more than half the battle! Glad you had a good time.


2012-11-04 11:31 AM
in reply to: #4482371

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Melon Presser
52116
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Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Beautiful medal ... beautiful performance. That's a righteous half-mary time!
2012-11-05 6:02 AM
in reply to: #4482371

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Master
6834
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Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Good job mentally pushing yourself TJ. Sounds like it was a nice race.
2012-11-05 4:11 PM
in reply to: #4482371

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Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Great job, TJ!  Nice medal, great mental fortitude, and a lovely sounding course to boot! 
2012-11-06 1:12 PM
in reply to: #4482371

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Saaawwwweeeet Medal! Now, imagine pairing that mental game with adequate preparation and planning. Wooooweeeeee! Good things to come!
2012-11-06 1:28 PM
in reply to: #4486369

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Master
9705
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Raleigh, NC area
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon
Nice work out there TJ!  It sounds like a fun course and a fun weekend overall.  Way to go!


2012-11-06 4:25 PM
in reply to: #4482382

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Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon

peto_primo - 2012-11-03 9:17 PM nice job, way to stretch yourself mentally.  Interesting to read about the race.  I saw it on a schedule and had thought about doing it....

I would recommend it. Great route!

2012-11-06 4:27 PM
in reply to: #4486369

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Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon

Asalzwed - 2012-11-06 12:12 PM Saaawwwweeeet Medal! Now, imagine pairing that mental game with adequate preparation and planning. Wooooweeeeee! Good things to come!

I know, right? I can see how the HM is a fave distance for so many people. It felt like a slightly longer, better paced 10k! It totally did not feel like twice a 10k.

Now I want to do one of the Rock N Roll HMs!

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