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Palmetto Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Columbia, South Carolina
United States
45F / 7C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 28m 4s
Overall Rank = 10/688
Age Group = M40-44
Age Group Rank = 1/40
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 4:00am. It was COLD! I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to the plan. I added a couple of layers on top and leg warmers (wasn't cold weather riding supposed to be over for the year???) and gloves and went for my 2 hour ride. I kept the effort easy (z2) apart from the hills where I allowed myself to push a little (z3). I forgot how hilly Percival Road is!
Event warmup:

Once I got there, I stashed the bike in the bushes and locked it to a pipe. It was still dark so I changed into my running gear in the bushes (!). Then I picked up my chip, used the port-a-john, and ran maybe 1/2 mile or so at a pretty easy pace. The leg was mildly sore, but actually not bad at all, so I was in a good mood.
Run
  • 1h 28m 4s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 06m 43s  min/mile
Comments:

I went out at just over 7:00/mile, which was pretty much the plan. At mile 2 I was feeling pretty good, and the leg had loosened up, so I picked up the pace a bit. I kept just slowly increasing the pace for several miles. It was pretty thin by that point -- I had passed all of the heroes who went out way too fast. I then started 'hunting' as Nick calls it. I'd bridge up to one runner or group, rest behind them for a couple of minutes, then repeat. I finally ended up with the guy who won masters. We chatted for a few miles -- nice guy. He held pace up a pretty long hill. Would I follow?

That was a hard decision, and I struggled with it for a moment. I knew that if I wanted to, I could dig deep and follow. But to what end? I had no idea where I was in the race, and if I pushed at that point I'd end up wrecking my training for a few days. I knew I was going sub 1:30 at that point, so I backed off and let him go. That was a wise decision, but one I came very close to not making.

At the end, some guy came out of absolutely nowhere to pass me before the finish. I actually thought he was finishing the 5K so I didn't bother to accelerate, but now that I see the results online, it looks like he was finishing the 1/2. Where the heck did that guy come from? He must have absolutely flown for the last 1/4 mile because at one point I looked back and saw nobody!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I had a blast, and managed to maintain perspective on the race - it was a 'C' race for me and I kept it that way.
Post race
Warm down:

I walked the long walk back to the start and collected my bike. Watched my student Brian finish, then met Misty and the kids and we went plant shopping. Nap. Then yard work.

Event comments:

This race was bigger than I expected it to be, and very well run. Superbly done for an inaugural race. If it fits in my schedule, I'll do it again. And I'm over the moon with the result. 2nd in masters (to the guy I let go!), first in AG, 10th overall. I wouldn't have predicted ANY of those things!




Last updated: 2009-12-10 12:00 AM
Running
01:28:04 | 13.1 miles | 06m 43s  min/mile
Age Group: 1/40
Overall: 10/688
Performance: Good
Actual time was a few seconds faster -- this is chip time. I'll take it either way!
Course: Much hillier than I expected! I had a vision (not sure why...) of a totally flat course apart from a hill at mile 7. But really it was rollers all the way, with some significant hills, though nothing epic.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2010-04-10 5:18 PM

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: Palmetto Half Marathon


2010-04-10 7:26 PM
in reply to: #2782487

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Extreme Veteran
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Montreal
Subject: RE: Palmetto Half Marathon
Woah, nice run!! Great time and placing, but I'm mainly shocked about the fact that you left your bike in the bushes (locked up, but still!) Is that why you ran so fast? To get back to it ASAP?! :P 
2010-04-10 7:35 PM
in reply to: #2782642

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Expert
1384
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Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Palmetto Half Marathon
Fantastic run Michael... congrats on the AG win and masters 2nd place finish... though the 10th overall really stands out too!  Especially impressed with biking to the event.  You're definitely a pro :-)  Well done!
2010-04-10 7:36 PM
in reply to: #2782487

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Champion
7595
50002000500252525
Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Palmetto Half Marathon
krystyna47 - 2010-04-10 8:26 PM Woah, nice run!! Great time and placing, but I'm mainly shocked about the fact that you left your bike in the bushes (locked up, but still!) Is that why you ran so fast? To get back to it ASAP?! :P 


Thanks!  I've never been one to worry much about things getting stolen (knock on wood...).

Edited by Experior 2010-04-10 7:39 PM
2010-04-10 7:38 PM
in reply to: #2782667

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Champion
7595
50002000500252525
Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Palmetto Half Marathon
juneapple - 2010-04-10 8:35 PM Fantastic run Michael... congrats on the AG win and masters 2nd place finish... though the 10th overall really stands out too!  Especially impressed with biking to the event.  You're definitely a pro :-)  Well done!


Thanks Stu.  I'm really pleased with how it went.
2010-04-10 7:46 PM
in reply to: #2782487

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Extreme Veteran
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Oshawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: Palmetto Half Marathon
Nice race Michael! Your hardwork and dedication is paying off in an amazing way. Your truly having a great start to the season. At this pace you just might win Kona some day

Great job!
Sylvain


2010-04-11 9:34 AM
in reply to: #2782487

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Expert
764
5001001002525
Subject: RE: Palmetto Half Marathon
Great race! Congratulations!
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