Alright, first big race of '09. First stand alone half-mary. Training's been going well since February. I was ready to rock this thing. Both the 8k and half mary runners started together so there was over 2000 runners at the start. I tried to get as close to the front as possible but it was pretty packed. It was chip timed, but we never ran over a timing mat at the start so I'm not quite sure what was up with that. Maybe they were just using it to make it easier to collect finish times.

The gun sounds and we're off. Of course the first mile I'm dancing around slower runners and the time shows. After that it was easier to get in a groove and run my own pace. Before long the 8kers reach the turnaround point and the field thins even more. I was surprised at the lack of signage at that point and the one volunteer who wasn't directing anyone. I wonder if anyone went the wrong way there? The guy running next to me at that point asked if this was the half mary route. "I assume so," I replied and proceeded to leave him in the dust ;)

At this point I was starting to pick people off that started off too strong. The whole time I was thinking I hope I can hold this pace so these same people don't pass me later. I really wanted to hold sub-7s the whole time.

About mile 5 I realized I had forgotten my gels in the car. Doh! No nutrition for me this race and there was only water on the course. I can't worry about that now, I've got some running to do.

I was really surprised when I finished mile six at around 41 minutes. I was smoking my stand-alone 10k pace :) The next few miles were pretty uneventful. Legs were tiring a little, but I kept pushing. Despite the rainy conditions there were a lot of spectators around so that kept things interesting at least.

Getting into mile 10 I could tell that I was starting to slow. I tried to focus on form and my lean and keep moving forward. At one point I remember trying to reason myself that I could take it easy this mile and run a hard 5k to finish things off. What? Take it easy? Shut up brain.

Last 5k. The homestretch. My mantra through this was, you haven't been doing speedwork the last 2 months just to coast in have you? I was pushing hard, but the speed wasn't there. With a mile to go I really cranked hard. I knew I wasn't getting my 1:30 at that point, but I didn't care. I managed a pretty solid sprint to carry me across the finish line!

Remember a gel or two. Take it easy training wise the week before. My legs felt pretty fresh, but I'm guessing there was still some lingering affects from Wednesday's ride

Walking. Water, bananas, cookies


Slow start. Possibly tired legs