Going into this race I really just wanted to execute a good race plan that would allow a PR, but save my legs for the Kiawah Island 1/2 Marathon in a couple of weeks. My goal was to stick to an 8:00/mile pace until about mile 9 and then evaluate whether or not I could push the tempo. These were my mile splits according to my Garmin.

Mile:

1- 7:59
2- 8:07
3- 7:53
4- 8:01
5- 8:01
6- 7:59
7- 7:46
8- 8:34
9- 8:00

At this point I still felt great and so I decided to pick up the pace.

10- 7:38
11- 7:36
12- 7:37
13- 6:50

I had a really strong finishing kick because I thought the end of the race would be the bridge where the Olympic rings were, but it was probably another 2/10ths of a mile! Between my bobbing and weaving and being unable to run tangents, my Garmin showed a total distance of 13.34 miles.

Last .34 miles in 1:59 (5:50 pace!).

Gotta thank TNRs this year for helping me to hardly notice the hills on this course. Earlier in the year I probably would have had to walk them!


Nothing, executed my plan really well and saved my legs for Kiawah.

Walked around for a while after the race and met up w/ a few other ATCers and a good college friend and his wife. Stretched and didn't feel too horrible.


I'm running at about 10 pounds over my ideal racing weight right now.


This race, and hopefully Kiawah in 2 weeks, really have/will validate the hard work I've put in this year. I've still only run this distance in races or training 10 or 15 times total, so I feel like I've got a lot of potential to improve. I was happy to knock about 6 minutes off my only other open 1/2 marathon which was in March of this year. Next up is an attempt to go under 1:40!