2nd race in my quest for the jacket ... New Bedford Half Marathon.
Trying to think if this is the 4th or 5th time I've ran this race, can't remember! Luckily, this is the first time the weather has ever been nice! Almost 50 at the start with no wind. Unbelievable!
Goal for this race was to run about 15 sec per mile faster than marathon pace for Boston and be consistent. MP is 7:50 so aiming for 7:35. I know the course so first mile is always a little fast, then a few miles of hills, then the long stretch of downhill and flat that you have to hold yourself back or you will be suffering in the end. A few miles along the coast and then the dreaded last mile uphill back into town. That last mile always has and always will suck!!
Splits went like this:
7.24 - little fast
7.30
7.40
7.41 - end of the hills
7.21
7.19
7.19
7.19 - nice consistent miles but thinking I need to slow down
7.46 - not that slow!
7.23
7.34
7.35
8.30 - the last 3.1 ... ummm, yes the dreaded last hill and that is a horrible split! Ugh.
Felt good, in control, and very comfortable through the whole race. Little tough that last mile but to be expected. Hit the 10 mile mark in 1.14, which was a minute faster than I finished the Amherst 10-miler a few weeks ago. Overall pace ... 7.34. Mission accomplished.
Feeling good but still a little anxious about Boston ... 5 weeks to go ...
1 comment:
A little healthy anxiety is good, helps push you to do better. Complacency is no place for a jacket winner. :P
That being said...seriously...who the hell designs these race courses with hills at the end. Sadistic evil people, that's who! :)
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