Track Club 1/2 Marathon
Sunday, April 03, 2005
This was my first long race of the year. While I have been doing long runs on Saturday, this was the first one where time mattered. Not knowing how I would perform, I set my goal at just under 2 hours. After all, I completed my last 1/2 Marathon, Lewis & Clark, in 1:57:30 (8:58 avg).
I shot out of the gate and downed the first 5 miles in 40:00. I felt good but was dying to find a bathroom. Actually, this is why I think my time was so good - I was racing to find a port-a-potty anywhere along the route. Several times I thought that I saw one off in the distance only to find out that it was a mirage. At mile 6 I couldn't take it anymore. I ducked into the outhouse by the ballfields and AAA and took a 2 minute pit stop to de-hydrate.
Disapointed with the time loss but feeling physically much better I focused on working my way through the park. I kept calculating my time and figured that if I hit the last 3 miles hard then I could get in under 1:50:00. Only problem is that the last 3 miles are up Forsyth which is tough/uphill.
I reminded myself that this was my home course. I practice on this route consistently. I was determined to push hard and get in under 1:50:00. I felt very good. Cardio was not a problem and my legs seemed to respond to the hard push. I turned on the burners, waved to Kevin and Minah who were spectating, and crossed the finish line in 1:48:49 (8:19 avg).
I rocked today!!! All of the Saturday long runs paid off as I turned in my best 1/2 marathon performance ever. My left shin splint was acting up a little bit as a result of the extra effort at the end but my time was great. I rounded out the day with a 26 mile bike ride in the afternoon and fell soundly asleep at 9:15pm.
Looking forward to next weekend to see if I can replicate my success in the STL 1/2 marathon.
I shot out of the gate and downed the first 5 miles in 40:00. I felt good but was dying to find a bathroom. Actually, this is why I think my time was so good - I was racing to find a port-a-potty anywhere along the route. Several times I thought that I saw one off in the distance only to find out that it was a mirage. At mile 6 I couldn't take it anymore. I ducked into the outhouse by the ballfields and AAA and took a 2 minute pit stop to de-hydrate.
Disapointed with the time loss but feeling physically much better I focused on working my way through the park. I kept calculating my time and figured that if I hit the last 3 miles hard then I could get in under 1:50:00. Only problem is that the last 3 miles are up Forsyth which is tough/uphill.
I reminded myself that this was my home course. I practice on this route consistently. I was determined to push hard and get in under 1:50:00. I felt very good. Cardio was not a problem and my legs seemed to respond to the hard push. I turned on the burners, waved to Kevin and Minah who were spectating, and crossed the finish line in 1:48:49 (8:19 avg).
I rocked today!!! All of the Saturday long runs paid off as I turned in my best 1/2 marathon performance ever. My left shin splint was acting up a little bit as a result of the extra effort at the end but my time was great. I rounded out the day with a 26 mile bike ride in the afternoon and fell soundly asleep at 9:15pm.
Looking forward to next weekend to see if I can replicate my success in the STL 1/2 marathon.
