Today was the Hartford Half Marathon.  This was my third HM in five weeks.  I ran the first one hard but didn't feel my best and PR'd by a shit-ton, the second one I held back a little so I'd be good to go today, and this one I threw everything I had at. 

Official results:

1:34:49

PR by 1:17

OA -  245 / 6559  (dayum!)

Men - 199 / 2663

M40-44 - 19 / 365

I actually tapered for this race, running 25 miles this week going into the race, which is less than half my usual load.  I ran short and easy Thursday and Friday, and I got a little extra sleep.  I felt fresh and rested when I got up this morning.

My goal today was 1:34:59, which would qualify me for a seeded start in my May marathon (Vermont City).  That would also be a PR, and having smashed my PR by 8:55 five weeks ago, I honestly didn't know if I could knock another minute-plus off that PR in such a short time.  I was banking on tapered and rested legs, more favorable weather (no wind and lower humidity), and perhaps a slight increase in fitness.  Today's route was tougher though.  Not as bad as it looks...all rolling rolls and nothing steep.  But, not pancake flat like my PR race was.

I qualified for the seeded corral today.  I gotta say, that was SUH-WEEEEET lining up right in the front, ahead of ~12,000 other runners.  I don't think there is any going back to the general seeding now.     This is the first time I raced further than 10K without headphones.  I noticed an almost complete lack of headphones in the seeded corral.  I ate a gel while lined up.

Off we go:

1 - 6:46 - Nobody to weave through today.  A nice open road in front of me.

2 - 6:49

3 - 7:00 - 10 seconds off a 5K PR.  I really need to find a 5K to race.  Definitely a little fast these first few miles but my HR was in check.

4 - 7:08

5 - 7:20 - The first bit of real uphill.  I didn't try to force my pace.  This entire mile felt uphill and I just wanted to get trough it without slowing too much.

6 - 7:08 - 15 seconds off a 10K PR.  70 seconds ahead of my goal at the halfway split by my estimation, and I was feeling strong.

7 - 7:10 - The downhills the last two miles felt good.  I relaxed a bit and let my HR settle down a little.  I ate my second and final gel.

8 - 7:20 - More uphill.  I knew most of the uphill would be behind me when I hit mile 8.5.  Miles 8-9 were tough and I was beginning to tire.

9 - 7:15 -

10 - 7:17 - This mile takes you through a park.  Some quick ups and downs.  Somewhere in mile 10, I wanted this to end.  I was hurting.

11 - 7:18 - Honestly surprised I am keeping this pace.  I was waiting for the 8:00 miles to hit.

12 - 7:15 - Really don't know how I'm running this fast.  I was in all sorts of discomfort and just felt slow.

13 - 7:28 - A half mile of gradual up pretty much finished me off here.  I'd have been screwed if this was a 14 mile race.

13.1 - 6:48 pace - Garmin and clock were ticking dangerously close to 1:35.  I mustered a final kick to the finish, and the hordes of crowd support helped.  I was too damn tired to raise my arms as I crossed the finish line.  I grabbed onto a railing and hunched over.

I don't think I could have run any faster today, nor do I think I have a faster HM in me right now.  Everything clicked.  My legs felt great, I was focused, and I ran strong.  I feel like I squeezed out everything I had.  I'm trilled that I hit my goal.  My execution still needs some work.  Fast start/late fade seems to be my go-to strategy.

This is my last "big" race of the year.  I never would have thought I'd run a HM under 1:35 this year when I tore up my knee in January.  No way.  I feel very lucky.  Now I want to put a dent in my 5K PR.  I've got two coming up in December.

I got back to the athletes village ahead of the crowd.  No wait for a massage!  SCORE.

Note:  This was MBC's second HM.  She ran her first two weeks ago.  She improved from 2:28 to 2:12.  She fookin rocked it!  Very proud of her!!

Note2:  Met up with Nevrgivup after the race.  Not her best day of racing, but she took it in stride.  I loved meeting her anyway...very nice girl.    Wish we could have hung out more but DW and I had to fly.

My first thought upon seeing that elevation was that cannot be right, thanks for clearing that up.

Extra points for using the word smashed in a race report, the running snobs will love that.

Very impressive, you are officially a bad mofo!

 

Extra points for using the word smashed in a race report, the running snobs will love that.

 

Is that a breach of etiquette?  

Lauren, LRB, Klompus:  Thank you all!  Much appreciated.   Gotta be honest, I am in a fair bit of ache right now.  Damn.

Crack cookies you say?  For my sweet tooth?  BRING IT.

Here's the medal!  This thing is a solid chunk of metal.  With a little filing, it'd probably work well as a ninja star.

Crack cookies you say?  For my sweet tooth?  BRING IT.

 

Here's the medal!  This thing is a solid chunk of metal.  With a little filing, it'd probably work well as a ninja star.

 

Groovy!

What a day!  Glad you were able to train and race well so that you had everything to throw at today's effort.  Congratulations!

Awesome job, you!   Congratulations on such a fast PR!  Who would have thought.  Congratulations also to MBC and Nevrgivup!

BTW-- that's a super cool metal! Love it!

Happy for you Phil! Not the least surprised by this performance. You put in the work and the result follow.