Woke up at 4:00am, fell back to sleep at 5:30am. I hate it when that happens. 8:30am, the alarm goes, and I contemplate hibernating for the rest of the year, but no dice since I need to go pick up my friend for the race.
I have not had a satisfactory half marathon since 2008. It had also been a year since my last half marathon. I was very optimistic about this one though, as I had been training consistently since the start of August. In all, I missed only 3 runs and stayed injury free. With some last minute reassurances from Turd Ferguson and Richie-Rich, I wore racing flats for my first time in a race. After a 1km warm up jog and some stretches, it was off to the start line.
Goals
Goal A: 1:35:00
Goal B: Die in the process of trying to go sub-1:35
Secret goal: Sub-1:33:00
The Race
Bang! Off we went from Eau Claire Market into the chilly 1 degree morning. The ritual jockeying for position mostly completed itself by the time we crossed north onto Memorial Drive. I settled into a pack of 5 runners: Our leader was a guy in his 40's with a camelback (Goal 1:35, hoping for 1:33 - same as mine, perfect). A 30's guy in a green jacket. The veteran marathoner in his 50's who was aiming for 1:40, but for joined up with us for company. And a lady also in her 30's doing only her 2nd half marathon, with the goal only to see how fast she would finish.
For 10.5k, our crew held together over rolling hills along the river. Despite the course being a "detour" due to construction, it was more scenic than the old course. We made good at a 4:25/km pace. At the turn around point, the veteran guy and I had to stop for a moment and wait for water. We got dropped from the group...
Over next kilometer, I slow reel the group back in, and finally dashed the last portion of the catch-up - too many runners were now coming the other way on the narrow path. Sadly, the older guy was gone from the pack for good. Through the next 4k, we keep picking off runners, but soon enough we lose the guy in the green jacket. Just 3 of us left at this point.
At 16k, the leader of our pack makes a move and kicks up the pace on us, I barely hold on, and the lady is still with us, but now quite a bit further back. It was a good move though, as we gained a few more places in the process. Here, I had four things in mind:
1) Turd said: the last 5k SHOULD hurt if you're doing it right
2) I need to make a move on our leader
3) I need to keep my form relaxed as might right calf was getting a bit tight.
4) Get ready to drop the hammer on the big bridge across the river, 600m from the finish.
2k left, I make a move on our group leader, and take over our pack. He hangs on really well though, and it is my turn to lead the charge as we pass 2 more people leading up the big bridge. The ramp is steep, and I use it to my advantage to get by another 2 people. After that, it was a mad sprint to the finish and I pick off another guy in the process, but missed the last one by less than 2 seconds - if only I had another 100m. At the finish, I found out our group of 3 finished pretty close to each other. Our group leader and I congratulated each other with a hug, he carried us through 90% of the race, and he finished kicking hard because of me.
Feeling mentally drained, but otherwise great after the race. Looks like I'll be wearing racing flats for anything half and under from now on.
Chip Time: 1:32:18 (previous PB 1:36:48)
Pace: 4:22/km
Overall place: 36/468
Mens 20-29 place: 7/38
I couldn't spot you! Saw a couple of speedy people in racing flats, though - one of them must have been you.
