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AFC Half Marathon - Run


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San Diego, CA
United States
70F / 21C
Overcast
Total Time = 2h 40m
Overall Rank = 4190/4594
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Cliff Bar and water
Event warmup:

very light strectching and trying to time the port-a-potty just right!
Run
  • 2h 40m
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 13s  min/mile
Comments:

The course was beautiful. It was difficult to have a long hill in mile 12/13. My goal was to finish, not walk, finish under 3 hours (to get a finishers medal), and best case run 10 minute miles the whole way.

I finished, I did end up walking probably a total of a mile (couldn't help myself - stupid hill), but did finish under 3 hours. I was on pace for 10 minute miles for about 4 miles and then it atarted going downhill.

My mile splits were:

mile 1: 10.36
mile 2: 10.15
mile 3: 9.52
mile 4: 10.00
mile 5: 11.02
mile 6: 11.38
mile 7: 12.10
mile 8: 15.15
mile 9: 12.24
mile 10: 12.34
mile 11: 13.10
mile 12: 16.16
mile 13: 15.00

I felt great at 1st, started to get more tired in mile 5. During mile 8, I thought I had something in my shoe rubbing my foot. It turned out to be the beginning of a monster blister under my foot. I ended up with several smaller ones on both feet to accompany the bigger one. I then continued, settled into what turned out to be a 12+ minute pace. That was going ok until mile 12. I walked for a good stretch and then tried to grind out the last big hill. The "grind" lasted for about a block! I then walked up the last hill thinking I was going to be all set after that. At the top of the hill, it flattened out and I started to run again, only to discover that my left calf was spasming and on the verge of a major cramp. I prayed for the cramp to go away and it did. Thank you Jesus! I was hurting enough already without that problem. I turned the last corner and was now in the home stretch - only 200 yds to go. The next thing I know I'm in a footrace with some lady coming down the stretch. We both blazed across the finish line (ok, I edged her out a little) and was finally done. I stopped to get my timing chip removed. My legs were shaking and I thought I was going to keel over. I spent the next 30 minutes sitting in the grass, pondering my noodle like legs and my pickled, blistered feet.
What would you do differently?:

Train more. Practice longer distances.
Post race
Warm down:

Lay on the grass and wait for legs to stop shaking.....

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Better distance training.

Also, my foot blisters were a huge issue. I need to find out how to keep them dry or wrapped/protected somehow. I like to pour water on the back of my neck when running far, but it soaks the feet, which leads to pickled/blistered feet.

Event comments:

I had a great time. It was my 1st half marathon. There weren't as many spectators as I thought there would be. Of course I came in towards the back of the pack and everyone may have left already.....
All in all, it was great.

Post note - I have been VERY sore in the quads and calves for 3 days, but feel pretty good on the 4rth day. The hip is only a little sore, so that was really encouraging.




Last updated: 2004-08-18 12:00 AM
Running
02:40:00 | 13.1 miles | 12m 13s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 4190/4594
Performance: Average
Course: The course was beautiful. Starts up on the very end of a ridge that overlooks San Diego harbor (Cabrillo monument). There are about 2.5 miles of rolling hills on the ridge. Winds through some neighborhoods and downward for about a mile. Flat for about 8 miles as it wins past the harbor (past Spanish Landing, Shelter Island, Harbor Drive, the Star of India boat, through downtown San Diego). Then there is a gradual incline for about 1.5 miles to Balboa Park. There is about 1/2 mile of flat as you run through the park and the finish line is right in the middle of the museums in Balboa Park.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2004-08-19 11:59 AM

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Master
1534
100050025
San Diego, CA
Subject: AFC Half Marathon


2004-08-19 4:08 PM
in reply to: #50330

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Extreme Veteran
441
10010010010025
windsor, ontario
Subject: RE: AFC Half Marathon
great job...you are right, the only thing to guarantee success in long races are...long runs....good luck in the next one...have you thought about RnR Marathon SD?? Great goal to get you through the winter (not that your winters are that tough to get through) :-)

d
2004-08-19 4:55 PM
in reply to: #50527

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Elite
3235
2000100010010025
San Diego
Subject: RE: AFC Half Marathon
Hey Congrats on your finish. You looked great at mile 4!
I have a picture of you if you want it.
Let me know
2004-08-19 5:02 PM
in reply to: #50330

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2004-08-19 5:27 PM
in reply to: #50561

Extreme Veteran
322
100100100
Bay Area, CA
Subject: RE: AFC Half Marathon
Congrats on finishing your first 1/2. I'm looking to do my first 1/2 in October in SF...
2004-08-21 8:09 PM
in reply to: #50330

Master
1534
100050025
San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: AFC Half Marathon

Thanks guys. 

It took me a good four days to completely recover from that little episode.  Looking forward to my next outing......

Dan



2004-08-21 8:11 PM
in reply to: #50553

Master
1534
100050025
San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: AFC Half Marathon

Hi Tom,

Yes, I would like to get a copy of the picture.  Is it digital?  If so you could email it to me at [email protected].  Otherwise, we'll have to figure out a good time to get it in person.

Thanks,

Dan

2004-08-22 7:58 PM
in reply to: #50330

Master
1494
1000100100100100252525
Kingston Ontario
Subject: RE: AFC Half Marathon

Good for you!  Sounds like a nice course

Jen

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