I ran my second half marathon today. In some ways I expeccted to be faster on this one, but in others I didn't. One problem was a busy schedule with lots of travel which held me to only about 3 runs in the last 3 weeks. Perhaps even 4 runs in 4 weeks. Not a good way to train.
I started out well with about a 7:30 pace for my first mile. My intention was to kick it at the beginning and then pull back a little later, and then kick it again at the end. However, my plan was thwarted by the mileage signs. I know my pace pretty well so I was just using my watch. To my amazement and dismay, I didn't hit mile marker 2 until 19:30 into the race. I have never run that slow! This kept me wondering the rest of the race what my actual pace was and how far I had actually run.
I ran well and felt fine until about mile 11. Things got tough there. An older guy came up behind me and said, "Almost there!" I turned back and said, "Let's do this!" We then made a plan of who we were going to pass by the end. We passed that guy in no time and really stepped up our pace. He was a great motivation for me. We were both hurting so we kept each other going. Thanks, older dude...whoever you are!
I think I ended in almost exacty the same time as I did in my previous race! (at least based on the race clock.) It was 1:47 and change. I was hoping to beat the 8 minute mile, but it would not be so on this run. It also didn't help that it was full sun the whole way and about 75 degrees by the end of the race. Here are a couple of shots...
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