So my goals going into this race: 1) Improve on last year's finish of 2:30:13. 2) Have fun. 3) Don't burn up on the hills in miles 5-9. I figured that number 1 goal should be just about automatic since this year it wouldn't be my second half marathon in 24 hours. Number 2 goal should be attainable as long as I don't do something stupid, like fall, forget my timing chip, or oversleep. As for the number 3 goal, since I felt very under-trained on hills I was planning to walk a good bit of the uphill portions and make up time on the downhills.
Race forecast was calling for heavy rain. In spite of me checking the forecast every hour for 5 days that never changed. Oh, well, nothing I could do about it so just prepared myself for a wet run. Woke up to learn that the forecast was correct. I got up, ate a little, then donned my clothes and a trash bag to walk to the start. I got to the starting area at about 6, the race was to start at 6:30. Last year, I got stuck in the very back with the walkers so this time, I made my way to the starting area without hitting the restroom one last time (that would cost me 90 seconds later on). I stood in the starting zone with all the other brave water-resistent runners (the rest were hiding in Paul Brown Stadium). It was a rainy rainy wait. As in a complete downpour, complete with thunder and lightening, the lights even went out for a couple of minutes. Runners cheered, we're a strange lot, aren't we?
I found the 4:30 marathon pace group and waited for the start. I figured that was a good place for me and if I felt good, I could always build from there after the hills. The starting gun finally fired and we're off! Well, a couple minutes later and we were off! For the first mile, I took it easy, time to warm-up. It's raining pretty good at this point, sure glad that I have my visor. At one point, all of the runners in front of me divided to evade a puddle. Seriously? You're soaked to the core and you don't want to run in a puddle? Screw that, SPLASH! If you're already wet, the puddles are half the fun! Finished the first mile right as we hit the Taylor Bridge into Kentucky. Mile 1: 11:01
A good bit of the 2nd mile is the bridge, it just seems to go on forever! Finally get over the bridge and we're in Covington. Don't remember much more, still raining pretty hard. Mile 2: 10:18
I think this portion of the course is pretty dull, thank goodness there were spectators. I can't believe how many folks braved the rain to cheer us on! Awesome! Finish this mile right as we prepare to cross back into Ohio on the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. I started to take my first walk break here but got vertigo because the bridge was bouncing due to all the runners! Eek, better to run it! Mile 3: 10:33
Started out the 4th mile by complimenting a lady on her kokopeli-like runner girl tattoo. Like! I'll have to remember that tattoo...just in case I need another, you know. Another boring monotonous section, but no spectators to distract me. Blah. At least it wasn't uphill. Mile 4: 10:26
Was I sleeping? I don't remember a thing about this mile other than seeing a lady in front of me peeling off her tank top that was under her t-shirt. I don't know how she did it (a) on the run, (b) without taking off the t-shirt, (c) with it soaking wet, and (d) never missed a step. I would have ended up in a bloody heap with my own clothing strangling me. Mile 5: 11:00
Aaah, now begins the hint of the uphill portion. It's gradual here, you don't really notice it until you realize that it's taking more effort to sustain the same pace. Starting to see more spectators so that's a nice pick-me-up. I'm still feeling good, surprisingly so but I know the work is about to begin. The rain has stopped for a bit. We see the leaders of the half marathon at this point as they are headed back into the downtown finish. I'm in awe! I take a quick walk break for a gel and to get my ipod revved up, I'm going to need both to help me motor through the hills. Mile 6: 10:15
Once you turn the corner onto Eden Park Dr, you see what you're in for. Thank God that this is where the spectators seem to be the thickest because you really draw on their energy to get you up this hill! I got to high five a singing Elvis in here (or maybe that was in mile 8?), that was a hoot. I walked a minute or two in here, trying to save a little strength for the rest of the uphill. Mile 7: 12:18
Not feeling too badly through here, better than I'd expected. Suddenly, I realize that's it--the big hill is done! I was waiting for the really bad part, holding my pace back because I remembered it as being so much worse and it was rather anti-climatic. That was both a boost and a downer--I was holding back to save up for something that wasn't there! The uphill isn't over, but the steepest portion is. Mile 8: 10:54
Starting to get a wee bit uncomfortable when I spot a port-o-let with only 2 people waiting! I detour over, lose about 90 seconds waiting/going and then I'm off again. Funny thing is, this is the exact stop I used last year. The folks there will let you use the indoor facilities at the church, so I'm guessing that's why the line was so short. Keep that in mind if you run this race! Now we are in another area very popular with the spectators, lots of crowd support here. We also say good-bye to the runners going on to do the full marathon. I give them a cheering "Go, Marathoners!" and a few thank me and wave before they go on their way. Today, I'm really glad that it's them and not me with another 17 miles to go! Mile 9: 11:54
This mile begins with the last of the uphill grade before we begin the serious downhill finish. It's a pretty steady wall of spectators from here on. Right before we finish the 10th mile, I see an ambulance loading someone. Never did hear what happened. We also pass the walkers as they are going into mile 6 and Eden Park's uphill. Whew, glad it's not me! I'm almost DONE and we're finally cruising downhill now. Wheeee! Mile 10: 11:00
Oooohhh. This. Feels. Good. I love LOVE LOVE this portion of the course. This is why I come back--the downhill finish. OMG, nothing like it in any of the other half marathons I've done (not that I've done that many, but still). I feel like I've sprouted wheels. I kick into a sub-9 pace (it feels fantastic at first!). Unfortunately, my tummy isn't liking the speed so I slow down a bit to settle it down. Mile 11: 9:50
Still heading downhill, crowds getting louder and thicker. I can't believe folks are out on a day like this! I love this place! We're heading back downtown, I'm euphoric. Mile 12: 9:47
The downhill grade tapers to almost flat (still net downhill though), legs are letting me know that yeah, this has been work but they can hold on a bit longer. I pass three official photographers, all working with their cameras but NOT taking pictures. *cuss, cuss* I never seem to get a decent race photo, I think they're avoiding me. Aaron and I ran this last bit at the finish of yesterday's 5k, that helps me get my bearings. Ready to pull out all the stops for a strong finish, ready to be done. Mile 13: 10:00
I kick it in and give it my all for that last tenth. I imagine that the huge cheer going up is for ME and ME alone. I am passing a lot of folks here, no reason to hold anything back now. I get across the finish line, grab my medal, then realize that I haven't turned off my Garmin (oops). When I review the data, it has recorded 13.3 miles with the last 0.3 miles at a 9:22 pace. Once I map it out, the last 0.1 mile was done in 47 seconds or at a 7:50 pace! I didn't know I had that in me, much less at the end of a half marathon!
The race website gave me a 6.8 mile split at 1:16:09 (11:08 pace) and that I was in 5063rd place. I officially finished in 2:22:29 for a 10:53 overall pace and 4677 place. That means that I passed 386 runners in the last half, not to mention a pretty significant negative split. :)
Not sure what's up with my official time. My garmin recorded 13.3 miles in 2:22:08 and I forgot to turn it off at the finish line until after I got my medal. The official time is quite a bit more than that, so what's up?? Unless the first 3 timing matts missed me and there was another one lurking in there that tagged me? I remember wondering which matt was the "official" one as I came across the finish, must have been the very very last one!
Lessons learned: I need to train on hills more and not be so intimidated by them. I held back way more than I needed to because I thought that I wasn't prepared for them. I think that my strong pace at the finish tells me that I could have kept a more even pace and not been as badly affected by the hills as I'd anticipated. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the day, I'm happy with how I ran the race (even though it was very conservative), and I think next year I'll be ready to work the course to my advantage. As it was, I improved my course time by over 7 minutes from last year. Not sure that I can PR on this course, but I'd like to give it a try in 2011!
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