Beginners and Beyond

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RR - Novi Half Marathon, 5/4 (Updated with pics & a question) (Read 70 times)

    I was excited when the debut of this race was first announced, because it's only 4 miles from my house, then a little less so when realizing it was scheduled only 3 weeks after my intended goal marathon. In any case, I figured it was so close I had to do it, even if feeling only up to a jog.

     

    My running has not been doing so great since the marathon. Putting up some miles, but mostly at slow recovery-ish pace, and feeling sluggish & achy. I figured this thing would end up as a fun run. On Thursday I decided to throw a bunch of strides in my run, and they felt pretty comfortable. Gave me a little hope.

     

    I actually slept like crap last night, could not get to sleep till very late. And didn't feel so great in the AM. Weather was OK; 45 degrees at the start, expected to warm up to 50, although pretty windy. As I left the house it started to drizzle, but fortunately didn't last.

     

    It felt pretty chilly when I got there. My bib was pinned to a short sleeve shirt, but I had an extra LS layer & disposable arm socks at the ready. I jogged very easy for just a mile to warm up, wearing a jacket. If nothing else it helped warm up my body temp, so I was OK starting the race in just the t-shirt. Although my arms & hands went kind of numb the first couple miles.

     

    I decided to start out at my PR pace (~8:15), and see how it went. I figured once you start slow, you can never make up the time if you realize you are feeling good. And if I blew up in this race, no big deal. So here are the splits; it will go without saying I was feeling good:

     

    1 - 8:21

    2 - 8:11

    3 - 8:17

    4 - 8:09

    5 - 8:14

    6 - 8:17

    7 - 8:04

    8 - 8:06

    9 - 7:52

    10- 7:49

    11- 7:37

    12- 7:35

    13- 7:13

    Official net time 1:45:20 (PR by ~3 min)

    OA rank 83/709

    AG rank 7/35

    There was an official split at 10 miles. For the first 10, my AG rank was 11; over the final 3.1, I was 3rd. If only they gave awards for sandbagging.

     

    Things were starting to get uncomfortable at 11-12; the last mile was pretty brutal, much like the end of a marathon, and felt like I could easily puke if given the opportunity. But obviously I was pushing it pretty hard at that point.

    So it was cool to have a big negative split like that. (Actually pretty similar to my last HM, except ~15 sec/mile faster throughout.) But not sure what it means in terms of what my pace should have been if I was running it right, to be able to use it to calculate training paces and/or goals for other races. I guess the only way to know for sure is to race again.

    Next race is a 10k on Memorial Day. A first time for me; I have no idea how to run (or train for) one of those.

     

    Some other comments:

    • My Garmin actually had it at 13.29 miles, so pretty long, although I forgot to turn it off right away (others I talked to also had ~13.25). Not sure if course measuring problems, or just poor tangent running. But that gives a 5 sec/mile differential between my Garmin pace & official race pace.
    • The course was mostly through some suburban neighborhoods & some wooded areas, nothing much to speak of. A major chunk of it was on dirt roads, which were filled with ruts & potholes. Had to kind of weave around some of the bad areas, and avoid stepping in a big divot & twisting an ankle. (Hey, I am not a trail runner.)
    •  I did not take any water or fuel during the race. I use pretty sparingly in training, and it worked out for me in my previous HM. I figure it's just one less thing to worry about as long as it's not too hot.
    •  Accomplished another key goal: beat my boss, who was also running. We actually ran together for the first ~8, before I pulled away. He ended up crashing pretty hard after 10 & finished at 1:52. Feels good to get the bragging rights, although not sure what kind of career move it is.

    Dave

    FreeSoul87


    Runs4Sanity

      Those are awesome splits Dave, congrats on an awesome PR!

       

      Edited: I was first to comment!

      *Do It For Yourself, Do It Because They Said It Was Impossible, Do It Because They Said You Were Incapable*

      PRs

      5k - 24:15 (7:49 min/mile pace) 

      10k - 51:47 (8:16 min/mile pace)

      15k -1:18:09 (8:24 min/mile pace)

      13.1 - 1:53:12 (8:39 min/mile pace)

       26:2 - 4:14:55 (9:44 min/mile)

      LRB


        Excellent!

         

        A 1:45:20 evenly paced is an 8:02, but that you were able to go so deep in the 7:00's late in the race suggests you are probably faster than that.  This race is a confidence builder though and you probably are sub-1:40 material (7:37) or better.

         

        As for you and your boss after today's race I would say you went from this:

         

         

        To this:

         

        Docket_Rocket


          I did tell you three weeks was enough to recover a d race strongly, no?

           

          Congratulations!

          Damaris

           

          As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.

          Fundraising Page

          MI_Tim


            Well done.  Told you that you were fit enough to pr.

            Brrrrrrr


            Uffda

              You crushed it Dave! Congrats on the PR. I think it was a wise strategy given the unknown of how you'd feel.

              - Andrew

              Jack K.


              uʍop ǝpᴉsdn sǝʇᴉɹʍ ʇI

                Very, very cool!. Either you really ran the hell out of it or you recovered way quicker than you thought. Probably both. Your 10k should be interesting as well because that is three weeks off and you should be feeling good by then. Those are great splits. I am bad at doing minutes and seconds in my head but that is obviously a HUGE negative split for you. I don't take any water or fuel in a HM, either. Tremendous race, Dave and good luck with your future career. Wink

                GinnyinPA


                  Congratulations on such a great race so soon after your marathon efforts.  That's a nice negative split.


                  delicate flower

                    Dude...the last six miles were done in progression.

                     

                    I HEREBY PROCLAIM DAVE'S HM PR IS "SOFT."

                     

                    Heck of a race, Dave.  Great job.  Smile

                     

                    As far as your 10K goes, you should start off feeling slightly uncomfortable and get increasingly uncomfortable from there.  With a half mile to go, you should be wondering if you're going to make it to the finish.  Good luck!  10K's are a lot of fun.

                    <3

                    RabbitChaser


                      Great job, Dave! Congratulations on running a strong race and crushing your old PR! I agree with Rich, you've probably got a sub-1:40 HM in you.

                       

                      Eric

                      HobbitLegs


                      elevenses

                        Congrats, DaveP!

                        happylily


                          Well done, Dave!

                          PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013

                                  Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013

                          18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010

                          meaghansketch


                            Nice PR and awesome negative split! Time to get after sub-1:45?

                            hog4life


                              Wow Dave, look at them negative splits! Congrats on the big PR.

                              Ric-G


                                interesting what the cumulative effects of training can do when you don't expect it...great race and PR...congrats!

                                marathon pr - 3:16

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