I am unofficially trying to obtain the title of "Weekend Warrior". During the last 4 weeks, I have ran 3 races on Saturdays - a 5k and two half marathons. No other running. In fact, those are my only runs in the last 31 days.
Well, this half marathon has gone down a lot. This year had 105 finishers. A long way from the 884 in 2009. I bet it loses its USRA Half Marathon Series status before long. It dropped to 493 in 2010. I think to 183 in 2011. Then they moved it from October to March. Etc.
This was my 10th half marathon. I was well rested for it :) But not well trained for it :(
It started off okay. Two weeks ago I ran a 5k with the temperature around freezing and some snow flurries. Today, the temperature was around a great 65 degrees. However, there was some of that dreaded WIND! And I mean WIND! At one point we ran directly into the wind for almost two miles. (I meant to check the wind speeds for the day when I got home, but never did it). I want to say 100 mph winds, but I guess it was more like 30. And I don't mean wind gusts. I mean solid, nonstop wind for 2 miles! Then there were more "opportunities" to run head-on into the wind! I was thinking that I would have to label this post with an "Explicit Language" caution, but I have calmed down since the race and refrained from such language. According to most of the finishing times, it seems the wind affected a lot of the runners.
The wind most certainly affected me, but lack of training also hurt my time. Three weeks ago I ran my slowest - 2:04:21 (9:30 pace) - half marathon. I thought that since this one would be flatter that I would be at about the same time. I blame the wind on me setting a new personal low at 2:10:15 (9:57 pace). However, I did receive my highest age group ranking. I was # 2 of 8 in the 40-44, and 49 of 105 overall. A 2:10 time finishing #2 is another reason I think the wind affected people. The winner, however, did run it in 1:23. There have been quite a few people to run it in under 1:20, though.
Two half marathons this year with each setting a new personal slow.
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