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St. Luke's Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Allentown, Pennsylvania
United States
St. Luke's Half Marathon
60F / 16C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 49m 36s
Overall Rank = 711/3204
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 92/234
Pre-race routine:

Up a little before 5 am. Showered and made some oatmeal and at 2/3ds of that. Made a PB&J sandwhich on a wheat bagel thin for later. Stopped for coffee and then met 2 friends to drive down to the race with. Was nice to have someone else doing the driving! Got to the race and walked about 0.5 miles to the stadium to meet the friend who picked up our race numbers for us since we couldn't get down there on Saturday. Walked back...was a little up hill. At half of the PB&J sandwhich while at the stadium. Meeting at the stadium was a great idea because there were no crowds there - no lines for the bathrooms which was great!!
Event warmup:

The walk back and forth to the stadium (~1 mile total). Did some stretching as I was turing in my stuff to the bag drop.
Run
  • 1h 49m 36s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 08m 22s  min/mile
Comments:

Was hoping to go for a PR here (sub 1:44). Started with the 8:01 pace group and figured that I could keep with them for most of the race and then speed up for the last couple of miles to get me the 1 min, 30 sec that I needed for the PR. This strategy felt like it was working. I often go out at races too fast in the beginning and wanted to be more controlled for this race. Each time I found myself picking up the pace, I looked for the pacer and slowed down. That helped to keep me in check. I felt strong all the way through mile 9. There are some rolling hills on the trail in the park, some with short by kind of steep climbs. I powered up the first two with the group and felt tired but OK. On the third climb around mile 9.5 I saw the group pulling away. I thought they were speeding up since I still felt OK. Tried to catch back up to them but the legs wouldn't listen. Couldn't get them going faster. Saw the group pulling further ahead and I new I was done. From there, just kept forward progress going and got to the finish.
What would you do differently?:

Not sure...second race in a row that my legs didn't last the full race. This time I was much more controlled out of the gate and didn't push too much so feel that I set myself up better for a shot at the PR. Need to think about considering a structured training plan for the next that focuses on my goal time.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around a lot to pick up bag, get changed, tracked down some food, hung out with some of my wife's friends from HS. Made the 1.25 hour drive back to my in-laws, did a few hours of yard work for them and then hopped in the car for the 2 hour drive home. Being up all day after the race and moving around helped keep the legs feeling good come Monday...little sore but not too bad.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Training?

Event comments:

Very good race with a huge group of volunteers. Multiple bands playing through out the course. Nice to run on a completely closed course although it was a little crowded at the beginning of the trail portion even though it was about 1/2 way through the course. Nice stadium finish on the track - great for spectators.Food is all vegetarian after the race (haven't figured out why??) and was all good. Muffin tops...mmmmm. Lines were long for food though. Heard the expo on Saturday was good but did not get down there to see it. Great race overall.




Last updated: 2011-01-24 12:00 AM
Running
01:49:36 | 13.1 miles | 08m 22s  min/mile
Age Group: 92/234
Overall: 711/3204
Performance: Below average
Course: Completely closed course. Some on the road, some on crushed stone trail. Rolling hills. Not a lot of climbing but coming out of the park to the finish is slight up hill most of the way.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
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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2011-05-04 5:29 PM

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Master
1478
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Horseheads, NY
Subject: St. Luke's Half Marathon


2011-05-04 6:25 PM
in reply to: #3482438

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Master
2621
2000500100
Almaden Valley, San Jose, California
Subject: RE: St. Luke's Half Marathon
good rr...and pretty quick posting, all things considered!!
2011-05-04 6:43 PM
in reply to: #3482438

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Master
1497
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Maryland
Subject: RE: St. Luke's Half Marathon
George, you had a really good race and a time that at lot of people only wish they could do, NICE WORK!!
2011-05-04 7:56 PM
in reply to: #3482438

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Champion
7163
500020001002525
Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!
Subject: RE: St. Luke's Half Marathon

Nice job George!   You don't need a pace group--you have plenty of internal motivation to get you that PR next time.

PS.  I always seem to run faster when I don't shower beforehand.  Maybe give that a try too. Wink

2011-05-04 10:00 PM
in reply to: #3482662

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Subject: RE: St. Luke's Half Marathon
Good race, George! Sorry you didn't get your PR - next time!!
2011-05-05 9:46 AM
in reply to: #3482438

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Champion
6973
500010005001001001001002525
marietta
Subject: RE: St. Luke's Half Marathon
NICE JOB MAN!   try hoisting a few beers the night before the next one... pr for sure then! 


2011-05-06 12:25 AM
in reply to: #3482438

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Elite
3072
200010002525
san francisco
Subject: RE: St. Luke's Half Marathon
Nice job, George!  I love how you gave it your best shot and stayed positive throughout!  You will get that pr next time! 
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