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Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Duluth, Minnesota
United States
72F / 22C
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 17m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Toast with pb/j. Up early. Hydrated well the day before.
Event warmup:

Walked with a million other people toward the starting line.
Run
  • 2h 17m
  • 13.1 miles
  • 10m 28s  min/mile
Comments:

I had an ok first 4-5 miles, running with a couple of buddies. I lost them at a water station and had my first glimmer of "this is going to be hard" when I realized I could see them 20 yards in front of me, but didn't think I had the oomph to catch them and keep up with them - and it was still early in the race. It was hot, and humid, with little wind, and that is a trifecta of my worst race conditions.

A friend of mine who was spectating (it was his daughter's first half) jumped in with me and ran with me for 2 miles. I owe him a huge debt - he talked me through my first bad time. Then I found another friend who I run with often - she's tall, and very fast, but she was having a lot of trouble with the heat. Her face was so red it was starting to get white again around the lips - she looked bad. So I just decided to stick with her and that we would help each other get through.

We walked a couple of times for 30 seconds or a minute, but mostly we just concentrated on getting to the end. We chatted some, were quiet some, and I might have helped her to keep going in miles 8-12, but she kept me going for the last one, which was really, really hard for me.
What would you do differently?:

Run a half-marathon in cool weather. I'm definitely doing Whistlestop this year.
Post race
Warm down:

Didn't really warm down - had to hurry up to meet husband for some other plans that didn't end up working out. Then enjoyed a post-race grill out with other fellow sufferers. The marathoners in the group were by far worse off.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

A little extra weight, not enough focused run training, and the heat/humidity.

Event comments:

I am so glad that early on I revised my mental goals from best case to worst case scenario. I knew I would have a tough race, and just wanted to get in under 2:20, which I did (chip time, anyway). It was much more important to me to stick with my friend - I was honestly worried about her. We thanked the volunteers, tried to enjoy the sights, and just got through it together.




Last updated: 2009-03-12 12:00 AM
Running
02:17:00 | 13.1 miles | 10m 28s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Below average
Course:
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race? Ok
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2009-06-22 8:34 AM

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Extreme Veteran
832
50010010010025
Podunk County, MN
Subject: Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon


2009-06-22 9:39 AM
in reply to: #2233381

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Expert
1277
1000100100252525
St. Paul, MN
Subject: RE: Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

Yech, that heat sounds pretty awful.  I'm glad you and your friend are alright and finished.  Congratulations on finishing under your goal time.  Maybe some day Grandma's/Gary Bjorklund will happen in cool weather again.

2009-06-22 9:59 AM
in reply to: #2233610

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Champion
10018
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

Oh boy, that was a hot one for you guys!  Great job finishing!

2009-06-22 10:10 AM
in reply to: #2233381

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Elite
3687
20001000500100252525
Subject: RE: Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

Nice job persevering on a tough and hot day.

2009-06-24 11:21 AM
in reply to: #2233381

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Champion
15211
500050005000100100
Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL
Subject: RE: Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

Nicely done my friend!  Way to keep plugging away on a tough day. 

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