The horn went off and I headed up the road. It was fairly crowded at the front and I had to pass quite a few people in the first mile. I was feeling pretty strong, but a little anxious about the run ahead. My goal pace was ~6:15, which is usually my 10K pace, but I wanted to see if I could hold that for a half-marathon. The first couple miles were pretty easy. I crossed the tower bridge and did the first little loop down the river. Around mile 3.5, the first woman passed me and about 20 seconds later, the 2nd woman passed me. One goal of mine for local races is to beat the first woman. For the record, I have never done it and it appeared I would not be able to this time either! They were both running quite well and I suspected they would go sub-1:20. I maintained my pace through miles 4, 5, and 6 through old town. I was starting to feel a bit fatigued, but was hanging on OK. Then back across the bridge and past the stadium again. Around mile 7, I saw the fam and got a little rush of adrenaline. It's always nice to see some familiar faces. I made the turn past the relay transition and headed over into West Sac. This part is an out and back by the river and can be a little windy. I was feeling more fatigued, but kept chugging along. I had my 2nd gel around mile 8, but didn't have any water to go with it and I think next time a do a half-marathon, I'll stick to one gel before and one during. I was also a little over-dressed, not needing my undershirt. I had a little bit of a side-stitch, but nothing too horrible. I made the turn-around and went up onto the levy. As I did, a small, older guy passed me. I tried to stay with him for a bit, but couldn't quite stay with him. I kept at it, but another guy passed me. I did manage to stay with him and ran behind him for the last couple of miles. Miles 10, 11, and 12 were OK; I was really tired at this point, but knowing you are almost done keeps you going. As we made it back to the stadium, around 12.5 miles, I passed the 2nd guy that went by me at mile 10. I looped up and around and down into the stadium, past the 13 mile marker and onto the warning track. I was hoping I could break 1:22 and knew I would be close, but didn't quite make it. I probably could've sprinted past the small, older guy that passed me 3 miles before, but decided there was no need. I cruised around left field and down the 3rd base line and crossed in 1:22:19 on the clock. My chip time was about a second less. Not bad at all!!! I was pretty happy having cut another minute and a half off my PR. The next goal may have to be sub 1:20, but that seems pretty ambitious!
That's me in the gray shirt and white hat crossing the line behind the old guy who passed me 3 miles before this. My split times were a little less consistent, but I hung on fairly well. I might've started a bit too hard, but I didn't completely fall off the cliff...
1 - 5:58 - 166
2 - 6:10 - 173
3 - 6:15 - 172
4 - 6:13 - 170
5 - 6:17 - 171
6 - 6:20 - 171
7 - 6:12 - 172
8 - skip (I always miss one mile marker!!)
9 - 12:37 - 169
10 - 6:26 - 169
11 - 6:26 - 169
12 - 6:21 - 171
13 - 6:21 - 174
last 0.1- 0:39 - 175
Total Time = 1:22:18
Avg Pace = 6:17 / mile
Avg/Max HR total = 169/177
Overall, I was quite happy. The legs held up fairly well and thus far, they are not feeling that bad after the race, either. We'll see how they feel tomorrow though and I have no idea what coach will have lined up for me this week!!
This race was a major early season goal and I cut 6 minutes off my time on this course from last year and lowered my half-marathon PR by quite a bit. It was 1:26 and is now 1:22. Some major new goals have been formulating in my head so more on that to come.
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