Road Trip! Woo!

Last weekend I went out to Monclova Ohio for a half marathon.

At least, that was the plan. We got there plenty early and registered. I didn't really have any expectations for this race, having not trained for a race since New York. So, I was just about having a good run and hopefully turning out a good time and using that confidence at Big Sur.

I really enjoyed the pre-race interval. Having less of an interest in setting a PR and being an old war horse who now only does warm ups when he feels like it, I was able to sit back a bit and watch everyone else. It's interesting to see people get ready for a race. Some are nervous, checking their watches, fidgeting, trying to keep loose. Others are stay loose by avoiding everything that the nervous set does.

I chose not to do an extended warm up run, assuming 13.1 would be enough. So, I put in about a mile and a half maybe 30 minutes before the race. Everything seemed in order. Fueled up, stretched, and ready to go, I toed the line with one goal: stay with the group and then destroy them in the last .1 miles.

The first 3 miles were fine. We started a tad fast (sub 7) but eased into our pace and all was well. Then, around 4, things got goofy. First, the mile markers were off. Unless I ran mile 4 in 3.5 minutes, it was short. Rather that acknowledge that the race was now a half mile short, I spent the rest of the race telling myself I had more to run than I actually did.

Over the next 5 or so miles, I started falling back. Not because I was slowing, but because everyone else was speeding up. So, I maintained. I actually passed a few people and was still running pretty well even at around 10.

Of course, there were no real hills, but each of the slow inclines I bounded up with glee and determination. It counts, right? Then, the wind picked up and we were headed right into it. Plus, the cramp I had in my side was really starting to get on my nerves. It didn't hurt like it could have, but as I was starting to fatigue, it wasn't helping.

At that point, the last member of our group passed me and I was in the back again. As usually happens, the wheels started coming off. Still thinking I had 2 miles, I began a long stretch on a bike path. This was an out and back section, so I got to see everyone from the group, which meant I realized how far back I was and had to slog through all of them to get to the turnaround. Plus, my feet were starting to hurt, stupid shoes! New Balance, I don't heart you anymore.

With just over .1 miles, one of the other group members was there to urge me on. I really appreciated the gesture, but it kind of stung that he was so sprightly after having run his first ever half marathon and absolutely crushing me. I figured if he was going to run the rest with me, he was going to have to keep up with my customary stupid kick.

I put on the speed and I think I managed to pass one more person as I finished. Conveniently, they asked me my age right there to determine if I won anything. I told them, and I did not get anything. I tried guessing a different age, no dice. What, I don't look 60?
The woman who finished right after me begged me to tell her that the course wasn't short. She was so cute I almost hated to tell her the truth.

Anyway, our little band bagged the top two spots for the females and a handful of age group awards. PRs all around, many of which would have still been PRs, even if we'd had that extra .5 miles to run.