This was my first attempt at racing a 1/2 marathon. My goal was really no goal – I just wanted to run a hard race and see how I felt. (Getting as far into the race as possible – without having my inner “negative nancy” yapping in my ear). – sorry for any Nancy’s who are reading this report.
By the first km it was evident that there were going to be two groups – the first gang was about 4-5 a few stragglers then our group of 5-8.
Our group went through the first km in 3:35 felt real easy. Missed the 2km split but hit 3km in 10:59 – so went 7:24 for that 2km so averaged 3:42.
We split 5k in 18:21 (on pace to take down my unwritten goal of sub 1:17:30) and it felt really easy – no effort at all getting there.
Our Group was now down to 6 (with me setting the tempo). Matt Reid – a local tri-athlete was in our group – everyone knew him and were cheering him on – it felt at times I was runnig with a rock star!
8km 29:28 – still felt really good – I wanted to start upping the tempo – just to break up the group – but came to my senses and realized that running in a group was easier than running 10-15 seconds ahead of them. So I sat and waited….
10km 36:40 – I started to listen to my body, it still was not protesting in any way shape or form (I started to think – hey this isn’t so bad after all! Just tempo running at its finest so far. I was still in the lead of our pack maintaining the pace.
We went through the 12.6 turn around in 46:18. We got back on Lakeshore and into a head wind everyone quickly tucked in behind me. This lasted for about ½ mile until I decided it was someone else’s turn to share the workload, so I went to the back of our 5 man group and tucked in. Nothing really changed until we approached the 9 mile mark – I felt really good still – and was bored of being at the back of the pack – I decided it was my turn to “man up” for a while. Plus we slipped to running a 3:47 for the km.
I charged to the lead, increased the tempo and went through 10 miles in 58:53 – back on pace – by this time our 5 man pack was broken up and I was running with one other gentleman (I found out after the race it was Andrew Imrie). I guess Andrew felt I was also slowing him down because he decided to put on a surge that I was unable to match, which left me on my own for the last 3 miles. (Or so I thought). I got to the 11 mile marker – slowed down to grab some water – one final “pick me up” and I was poised to finish with what I got.
My next split was 3:53 – don’t know where that came from – felt tired – but I didn’t think I slowed down that much.I suddenly felt two guys closing in on me like it was the end of the race! ( Jim Burrows & Rod Henning) 45-49 age group. I have never been past with such authority in my life – especially 11 miles into a race! I was unable to match Jim’s tempo, I did however attempt with no avail to tuck in with Rod – but not a chance either – now panic bells started to go off – how fast am I fading?
Well I ran a 3:51 for that km – now I found myself in survival mode – just over ½ mile to go – and I’m bonking fast.
The crowds got larger – saw My family (wife and kids) on the sidelines cheering me on with words of wisdom and encouragement – as only a 5 & 8 year old are able to do! – so I listed – All I kept saying to myself was the faster I ran the sooner I could stop.
I ran about a 5:42 per mile pace for the last ½ mile. Was tired and satisfied that I ran through the hurt and survived!
I know I got it in me to go a lot faster than that but was happy for it being the first time – A new P.B. for both the ½ marathon and also a 10 miler!
1:18:09 ½ & 58:53 through 10 miles.
A great Day – And I know I will survive Around the Bay!
Just wanted to say a big thanks to the race organizers and volunteers who had fantastic spirit and encouraging words during the race!
I also saw someone wearing thier Running Free shirt proudly before the race, however due to the amount of people that stood between us I was unable to get close enogh to introduce myself!
Great Job, Greg. That head wind coming back was deceptively tough. Well done!
Greg,
Awesome running and result! Best of luck this season.
PS – I know the feeling of being passed with authority…2009 – Terra Cotta…a gentleman named Greg McNab hammers past me on the killer climb. I had no answer. HAHA