I haven’t run/raced a half marathon in over 6 years. My last one was 3M on January 25, 2004. If I recall correctly…I was in pretty good shape, the course was a screaming downhill 400 ft drop (the old course), and the weather was pretty close to perfect (dry and in the 40s). All of that came together to produce a PR of 1:42:04 (7:47 pace) back then.
Fast forward to 2010. I thought long and hard about signing up for 3M this year because it was on my birthday. The race sold out before I could make up my mind. After going out that morning and watching friends run the race I decided to find another half marathon close by to see if I could update that 6-year-old PR. Angie’s Half Crazy Half Marathon popped up via an internet search. The course looked pancake flat on the web site. I also felt like I had a shot at decent weather (I knew it wouldn’t be perfect…just wanted decent). I signed up and tweaked the training schedule a little to accommodate a race and set my sights on 4/11/2010.
I hit the road just after 2:00 pm on Saturday for the quick jaunt south of Houston for the race. After a quick stop at g-ma’s house in Smithville I arrived at the hotel just after 6:00 pm. Packet pick-up was a snap. I found a Lupe Tortilla about a quarter-mile from my hotel so that made choosing dinner a piece of cake as well. After dinner I drove over to the starting line to get a feel for how far it was from my hotel (less than 2 miles). That accomplished, I headed back to the hotel and settled in for a 5:30 am wake up.
I woke up before the alarm, made some coffee, had a little breakfast and headed to the starting line. 2 miles in about 30 minutes. The race started about 8 minutes late due to traffic and long porta-potty lines. The start was corralled by projected finish time. Sub 1:45 was the fastest corral so that’s where I was…about 20 ft from the mat.
The course is basically a huge lap around The Johnson Space Center and University of Houston’s Clear Lake campus.
I’m still avoiding my Garmin for races so I went with the Timex and a 1:40 pace band. I figured if I need a 3:20 marathon to qualify for Boston that a 1:40 half would be a good goal along the path. 7:38 is the pace required to run a 1:40 half (and a 3:20 marathon).
| Mile 1 | 07:50.8 |
| Mile 2 | 07:30.9 |
| Mile 3 | 07:28.5 |
| Mile 4 | 07:44.3 |
| Mile 5 | 07:41.0 |
| Mile 6 | 07:34.9 |
| Mile 7 | 07:46.4 |
| Mile 8 | 08:12.1 |
| Mile 9 | 08:34.2 |
| Mile 10 | 08:03.9 |
| Mile 11 | 08:26.3 |
| Mile 12 | 08:19.5 |
| Mile 13.1 | 09:29.2 |
I was pretty much on pace through 7 when it started to really warm up and the 100% humidity began to take its toll. I rallied a little at 10 but couldn’t maintain the pace necessary to tackle 1:40 or break my old 1:42 PR. 1:44:41 was all I could muster.
Travis ran a little smack on me a few weeks ago about not being in PR shape. I thought that I was and bet him a case of beer on the outcome…so Travis will be enjoying a case of beer on me.
Next up, Poconos Marathon on May 16. I’m planning on breaking out the 3:40 pacetat and running a PR (I wonder if Travis will go double or nothing?). The course is right…I just need a freaking weather break.
April 11, 2010 at 10:58 pm |
Your looking and running great these days Big. It’s just a matter of everything lining up correctly. Pocono is your ticket!!
April 12, 2010 at 2:17 am |
Big,
There were a few things you were missing today that you had working for you in 2004:
1) Cold weather – for us big guys, that’s huge.
2) 400 feet of drop – hello!
3) A terrier by the name of Abe, who grabbed both of us when I was ready to walk and dragged us through the last few miles, starting with that grueling stretch on Burnet.
Given that you lacked those advantages today, I am super impressed with 1:44. Great job!!!
April 12, 2010 at 3:12 am |
Big, way to push it. Not a PR but a great time, especially with the humidity. Go get um in the Poconos.
April 12, 2010 at 2:44 pm |
Big/Slim-
Yesterday was not a day to be running long distances in Texas. I ran a half in Dallas yesterday, and I compared to the weather to the SA RnR. Very humid.
Look on the bright side. I’m sure you lost 3-4 pounds in water during the race! Keep up the good work and good luck at the Poconos.
April 12, 2010 at 10:01 pm |
Maybe I’ll go next time you are looking for a PR, you run faster when you “think” I’m right behind you! Of course, I’m never right behind you, more like way behind you. Good run!
January 30, 2011 at 4:47 pm |
[...] the distance, I thought I had a pretty good shot at clipping that 1:42 PR and made a go at it at Angie’s Half Crazy Half Marathon. The weather was rough and I crumbled after 7 miles. I decided right then and there not to let [...]