RA Smashes her Old Half PB - link to pics pg2

[RA.]

My old half PB was set in September 2006 when Irongirl paced me to a 2:14:27. I've run a couple halfs since then, and a full, but haven't raced a half... I've been working on 10k races and beating the mental barrier that I had with being uncomfortable. I wasn't sure exactly what I should aim for in a half, so I figured I'd aim for somewhere between 2:05-2:10. I figured 2:10 was pretty doable, but would really like closer to 2:05. However, I didn't want to go out too hard and then blow the chance to PB at all.

Anyway. As for today... Here are the splits:

1- 5:58
2- 5:45
3- 5:56
4- 5:50
5- 5:46 (29:15 5k)
6- 6:13 - gel/walk
7- 5:58
8- 6:00
9- 6:00
10- 5:58 (59:24 10k, 2nd 5k in 30:09)
11- 6:16 - gel/walk
12- 6:12
13- 5:56
14- 6:39
15- 5:59 (1:30:26 15k, 3rd 5k in 31:02)
16- 6:18
17- 6:45 - gel/walk
18- 5:50
19- 6:20
20- 6:15 (2:01:54 20k, 4th 5k in 31:28)
21- 5:34
21.1k in 2:07:57

The first 10k was pretty congested as the 10k, half and full all ran it together, but it was pretty enjoyable. I like this race a lot and really enjoyed the first 10k. I just went whatever pace felt good and occasionally looked at my pace. I figured I'd just run, sort of aim for 6:00 pace, and see if I could hold on. My old injury (hip) started to twinge from about 1k on, especially on any inclines (which there weren't many of).

My 5k splits show how I was feeling. After the 10k-ers turned off to the finish line, the congestion was pretty much gone. It was nice to have some room again. (This course is 10k loops.) I was starting to notice just how salty I was, and was getting pretty hot. So, sometimes I'd take a quick little walk break. The iPod was a treat. I am used to racing without music and I really enjoyed having it to distract me.

I looked at my garmin at 15k and knew I was on pace for a PB, and though it was hurting, I could hang on to that PB for another half hour of running. The last 500m of this race is across a bridge and then into the finish chute. Track work really helped as I knew I could speed up and hold it for basically one 400m repeat. I passed a woman, then she passed me back and I thought "Oh no you don't...." and I sped up. She didn't pass me again. I passed quite a few people in the last 100m as I just gave it everything that was left in the tank.

I'm pleased with my time. This really is one of my favorite races. I might have had a better time had I not taken a few extra walks, but who knows. It's obvious I was tiring as the time went on, but my 21st kilometer was the fastest of them all. Maybe there is a 2:05 in there for the fall. But for now, I'm pretty happy with cutting off six and a half minutes from my old PB. And I had a great day with some good friends.

[Ken B]

Great race and report!! Congratulations!

[AndyM]

Great work! You were bang on your expectation so your training must have gone well. Congrats.

[Spirit Unleashed]

I'm so glad things went well for you.

[Kelodie]

Congrats on the PB and the well executed race!

[Jwolf]

Congratulations again, Ang. Now rest up!

[HCcD]

Congratulations, on a great race and spankin' new PB, Ang ...

[DougG]

Way to go RA!

[purdy65]

Well done! Congrats on the fantastic PB!

[deerdree]

congratulations, RA!!

[scrumhalfgirl]

awesome pb! congrats!!!

[erinmcd]

Great work!

[Irongirl]

Great job! Although, there's a tiny part of me that is sad that your PB isn't from our race together..although that was a long time ago...so you were definitely due!

[Hammie]

congrats on a big pb!

[jamix]

Congrats. It looks like the congestion during the first 10km didn't slow you down any based on your splits.

[IronColl]

Awesome!

[Half-Mary]

Congrats on a great race!

[La]

Wow, 6-and-a-half minutes is huge! I didn't realize it was such a big improvement. Well done! That track work and hill work is really paying off!

[RA.]

Congrats. It looks like the congestion during the first 10km didn't slow you down any based on your splits.

It might have actually been good as it slowed me down a bit.

I was asleep before 9 last night and stayed in bed until 7 this morning. I'm still exhausted. Today's goal will be to drink lots of water.

My back and shoulders are really sore/tired, as are my hamstrings. I totally slacked on strength/core work while training and I think this shows that I shouldn't have. I forgot about the 2km from about 13-15k when my abs were burning and I had to walk a lot.

[Robinandamelia]

Well done, congratulations!

[Miss*Smiles]

I'm so proud of you! Your hard work came together & paid off for this race. Congratulations!!!

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

YAY Ang!! Congrats on that great PB! Well done.

[horselady]

Wow well done on the Pb that is a lot of time to shave off! Congratulations!

[BJH]

I remember 2006.

Congrats on a huge PB. You've been working hard and have earned it!

[Avis]

Congrats on a really well-run race! so cool that you had enough left in the tank to really pour it on in the last 400m--you passed a lot of people--great! Congrats on the PB, too!