Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Date: September 29, 2012
Weather: Cloudy, upper 50s, winds 5-10 mph.
Scoring: By age group (31 males aged 55-60), gender (232 male), and overall (454 male/female)
Woke up on my own just prior to the alarm going off at 6:30. Applied kinesio tape on a preventative basis to deal with posterior shin splits and a quad strain. Was a little concerned about left bottom forefoot and the burning feeling at times while running in my racing shoes so applied tape there too. Wrote some of my planned cumulative times in red permanent marker on the inside forearms. Drank a cup of coffee, grabbed my bag plus a bagel and banana, then greeted my dad and sister. They would shuttle me on a 10-15 minute drive across town to the event. The anticipated traffic jams heading there (over 1000 participants expected) never materialized, so I arrived in plenty of time.
Upon arrival I picked up my packet, warmed up and stretched. Wasn't particularly nervous but still hit the porta potty 4-5 times ! Consumed a gu packet 20 minutes before race time and chased it with a few sips of water. Did not want a replay of the June triathlon where I took on too much fluid too early and almost had to stop for "relief" during the run. Had reason to feel confident - several good weeks of training, no injury issues and had lost seven pounds since the last race - bringing me back to my June triathlon weight.
Weather conditions were ideal. The lack of sunshine allowed me to forfeit the sunglasses. Plus I did not wear a race belt this time. Would need only to carry four Gu packets and those fit in my pant pockets with no trouble.
This time around, I lined up toward the rear of the pack - did not want to surround myself with the faster runners like the race three weeks prior.
Crossed the start timing mat about 1/2 minute after the start horn sounded and started my watch. Found it a bit tough to jockey around some of the slower runners but soon found my stride. The first four miles would consist of gently rolling terrain - no hills to deal with until mile 5. Hit my planned times at mile markers 1 and 2. Heart rate was well under control. Was passing runners and feeling good at that point - perhaps too good.
The splendor of the surrounding countryside greeted me beginning with the third mile. What a beautiful setting for a half marathon, deep in rolling Amish country. It was quite easy to let your mind wander and perhaps it did a little for me. Plus the sense of passing more runners gave me some overconfidence at that point. Discovered I'd hit the mile 4 point 30 seconds faster than planned. I should have been more concerned about that readout but wasn't at the time.
And then the first of three big hills came up. Shortened my stride, leaned into the hill and maintained turnover rate. Tackled the first hill - a 2% average grade for over one mile - and felt good. The first big downhill - an average 3.5% grade - would soon follow. Resisted the urge to charge down the hill. Consumed the first in race Gu packet. Found plenty of hydration from the tables set out at various points along the route.
A covered bridge would appear late in the sixth mile. Would see my family members as I emerged. That really pumped me up ! I was still feeling great at that point and was still well ahead of planned pace.
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| Emerging from the covered bridge, taking care to abide by posted speed and weight limits. A 72 year old runner wearing an orange shirt can be seen behind and to the left of me. This guy ended up ahead of me at the finish and trounced the 61 and up field. Simply amazing. |
