Fall Half-Marathons

I decided I had to title this one fall half-marathons, because in order to accurately recap Mankato, I need to go back and recap Med City (Rochester) from September. I realized I never did that, and it will make Mankato appear a tad more successful!

You may remember that going into Med City in mid-September, I had only completed two long runs all summer. A 8 miler in md-August before a week of foot issues, and a 10 miler the week before the race. On race day, I didn't know what to expect. The run started better that I could have asked for, given the amount of training I had done. I fell into a really comfortable pace, and just kept going. I ran with another girl (lady? she was my age!) for the majority of the race. We even had someone tell us we should be pacers because we were running that steady. At mile 9.5 this caught up to me. I had been doing run/walks all summer, so I just hit my wall. I slowed to a walk before picking it back up. Just as I was falling back into a groove, I stepped and stopped in pain. The blister on my left little toe gave me a run for my money. It was so hard to stay off of it, but also hurt more to walk. The last two miles were difficult! I did a run/walk - but honestly probably walked more than ran through the finish line. My final time was officially 2:49:12. My slowest half yet. Honestly, I knew I was just lucky to finish and run as strong as I did for so long!

Garmin Data:

Split	Hours:Minutes:Seconds Time	Miles Distance	Minutes per Mile     Avg Pace
Summary	2:49:19.7	13.17	12:51
1	11:45.2	1.00	11:45
2	12:14.4	1.00	12:15
3	12:18.5	1.00	12:19
4	12:18.8	1.00	12:19
5	12:26.1	1.00	12:26
6	11:58.8	1.00	11:59
7	12:06.4	1.00	12:07
8	12:38.5	1.00	12:39
9	12:57.5	1.00	12:58
10	13:02.2	1.00	13:02
11	14:12.2	1.00	14:12
12	14:30.8	1.00	14:31
13	14:45.8	1.00	14:46
14	2:04.5	0.17	12:12

*****

You already know that although I told myself I was going to use Med City as a training run for Mankato, the weeks between were tough. So, once again, I went into the run just not knowing what to expect. Did I think I could finish? Yes. Did I believe I was capable of a good time? Not really. Ultimately, I just wanted to beat my time from September to save my ego from running two "slowest to date" races in back-to-back runs.

 



I got up at 5:50, and got ready. We ran into people we knew, and I was able to get a ride with them to the start line instead of  having to walk to the shuttle busses in the dark. It also allowed me to sit in their car for 15 minutes before going out into the chilly morning air. About 7:15, I walked over to bag check, then did a short warm up. It was still cold and nearly a half hour until start time, but it warmed up nice as daylight came and the sun started to shine.

I tried not to go out too fast, but that is hard because there are people all around you! Once we were spread out a little, I fell into a bit of a slower pace. One thing I did not want to happen today was to hit a wall like I did in Rochester. After running two miles, although feeling good, I decided to move into a run/walk pattern. Walking .1 and running .9 has worked in the past, so that is what I was going to go with. The only issue with this was that starting in mile 2, the water stops were every other mile. So, I ended up walking twice in the same mile and then running through the next run. For example, I walked at the start of mile 2, again at the water stop, then ran through three until 4. This worked for quite some time.

Through mile 6, I was feeling pretty good. It was around 7 and 8 that I really had to start fighting for it, but I was still running fairly consistent. I found some sort of second wind going into 10, but then hit a bit of a wall. Going through Sibley Park between miles 10 and 12 is where it got hard last year, too. There a few hills. They are not huge, but at that point in a race they are out to get you! I wish I would have had a little more in the tank to finish feeling a little bit stronger, but all in all I'd say it was a successful day (compared to September anyway!). I felt more consistent. I wouldn't say I hit a wall, even thought the last two miles were rough. And I finished faster that September - thought not by much! As I write this, all that is posted is the text results. According to those my final time was 2:47:40, but I am not sure about the pace they put; unless that is based on gun time?

don't look to close - not a very flattering picture!

Here are my Garmin stats.

Split	Hours:Minutes:Seconds Time	Miles Distance	Minutes per Mile     Avg Pace
Summary	2:47:48.4	13.23	12:41
1	11:35.3	1.00	11:35
2	11:56.9	1.00	11:57
3	12:57.6	1.00	12:58
4	12:23.8	1.00	12:24
5	12:28.2	1.00	12:28
6	12:08.0	1.00	12:08
7	12:47.5	1.00	12:48
8	12:19.2	1.00	12:19
9	12:40.0	1.00	12:40
10	12:15.2	1.00	12:15
11	13:19.6	1.00	13:20
12	13:59.0	1.00	13:59
13	14:04.2	1.00	14:04
14	2:53.8	0.23	12:38

****

With that, I am likely done with long runs for this year. I am still on the look out for a 10k or a 5k for November/December, but that's it. Lessons learned. Races complete. Feeling blessed really - because I know any day where I can run 13.1 miles, crossing the start line and the finish line is a good one. Many people can't to that. I can and I will continue to do so! Though maybe with some more consistent training .....

What is your most recent running/life success?