I approached this HM as a "where am I" rather than a goal race. My training in March was a bit streaky to say the least. My McMillan predictor for a HM was 1:50:58, so I decided to try and stay with the 1:50 pace team and if I fell off at the end, so be it. The course was definitely hillier than I expected, nothing steep, but certainly not flat. Weather was perfect. Low 40's and misty. Mile 1 8:25 - caught up the pace team just as I got to the mile mark. I was maybe 5-10 seconds behind them so I decided to hang out there for awhile. It was too crowded right with them. Mile 2 - 8:10 - a wee bit fast Mile 3 - 8:24 dead on (11 seconds ahead overall) Mile 4 - 8:35 all uphill not too bad Mile 5 - 8:01 downhill Mile 6 - 7:49 - somewhere in this mile I pass the pace team. We are in one of the few flat stretches. My strategy has become to try and hold the goal pace in uphill and headwind sections and bank time on downhills. I know there is a big hill at the end, not sure how much uphill is still to come Mile 7 - 8:03 rolling Mile 8 - 8:18 rolling Mile 9 - 7:52 - felt like I was slowing down so I sped up Mile 10 - 8:22 with a head wind (about 1:50 ahead at this point) Mile 11 - 8:18 Mile 12 - 8:19 - more than 2 minutes ahead at this point...decide to go for 1:48 Holy crap that bridge is HUGE and I have to go up that NOW? shit Climb the bridge. I tell myself I only have to keep running for 3 more minutes (to hit 1:48) and pray I am right because keep this pace on the bridge is killer. Crest the bridge and know I better see that 13 mile marker soon Mile 13- 8:16 & 0.1@ 0.44 Overall - 1:47:45 watch time and chiptime Holy shit. Damn...now I have to aim for 1:45

Looks like a great race!!! Awesome job.

Good race, great time!

Whoaaa Enay, You sure did knock the crap out of that McMillan prediction. Most runners don't do that when they step up in distance. I think it's interesting that it came during a period that your mileage has been trending up rather than after resting. A nice long one the week before too, and another the week before that. Something to make note of... I know people will always tell you to rest up and cut back, but it makes you wonder, heh? It's usually been that way for me too--best races often come during peak mileage rather than following a cutback. Anyway, very nice race. Congratulations!

Whoaaa Enay, You sure did knock the crap out of that McMillan prediction. Most runners don't do that when they step up in distance. I think it's interesting that it came during a period that your mileage has been trending up rather than after resting. A nice long one the week before too, and another the week before that. Something to make note of... I know people will always tell you to rest up and cut back, but it makes you wonder, heh? It's usually been that way for me too--best races often come during peak mileage rather than following a cutback. Anyway, very nice race. Congratulations!

Funny you mention that...I was just going to ask....historically my pace curve is much FLATTER than the McMillan, I usually am faster at the longer distances than predicted by short races, or slower on the short stuff...whichever I used to say I had just one pace. Last year things started falling more in line. Not sure what it means when you have a flat pace curve. Probably that I dont push hard enough on the shorter stuff. I dont do much speedwork at all. I've noticed that about following a hard week...last year my HM PR came the week after hood to coast relay, and my 5K PR came the day after a 15 miler. Makes me afraid to taper.

Way to go Ennay! Way to HTFU and blast your way to an awesome PR!

Congratulations - that's an awesome time! I ran Race for the Roses too this year and thought it was a wonderful race - but you're not kidding about that bridge at the end, it's a killer!