Half Marathon Race Report

Hoop Dee Do!! I am very excited about my race. I ran like I was on a mission.

Start from the beginning. The weather was really crappy, rainy and a serious head wind on the way out. I heard a few people complaining about the wind (weather station said 35km/hour) but it honestly did not bother me. I was in "the zone". Got to the race in good time, did the wait in the porta-potty line up, did a very short slow jog, chatted with a couple of people I knew, did some stretching.

Started my garmin as I was going over the mats at the start line (this is significant for later in this story). Got a bit caught up in the crowd and was dodging people a bit, almost tripped over a pylon. At about the 3km mark, people started to spread out and I looked at garmin again and my average pace was 8 min miles...WHOA cowgirl!!! This is going to hurt if I keep that up. Slowed down significantly. Ran a pretty good first half...came up to the 10km mark at 55 minutes. Was happy with that as I felt really good and figured I had a few minutes to spare should things go sideways in the second half.

On the way back we were with the wind and I cannot tell you how good that felt!! I didn't really pick up the pace as I wanted to run steady, just one foot in front of the other. Then I saw Jenn a ways ahead of me and concentrated on her ponytail for a few kms!! I asked her after if she could feel anything pulling at her ponytail as I was fixated on it!! Managed a "Hey" as I went by. Was still feeling good and really super strong. Kept checking garmin and I was on pace to get under those 2 hours. With about 4 km left, I was at about 1:33 and actually got butterflies!! But those are the LAST 4km of a half marathon...this is when I have fallen apart before and I was determined not to have that happen. Kept telling myself "Look in the vault!! Just have a quick look, you can do this! This is when the mental games start and you will win this one!!" Had to take 2 walk breaks up the two last hills (both in the last 2 kms) and I swear I was very close to making a deal with the devil those last 2km. Jenn and I played the leap frog game the last bit and I am proud to tell you she RAN up that last sucker!! I wanted to say something positive as she went by, but I am sure she will understand why I couldn't! Caught another tri-buddy with 1km left and he says "Let's push it to the finish!!" I signalled to him with my hand "Have at er...and give it your all...my legs are trashed!!"

Stopped garmin just as I went over the mats again and this is what he tells me:

Time: 2:00:00 - I am not kidding, exactly that!!

Distance: 13.25 miles - so I did a bit extra?

Average pace: 9.08 minute miles

So, I am not great with math, but with this info, I am going to conclude that I did that half marathon in under 2 hours!! Will let you all know what the official time says...but I am THRILLED!!

GOAL ACHIEVED!!!!