Some days you’ve got it, some days you don’t. Today I nailed a local half-marathon, feeling strong from beginning to end. The weather was perfect (30F at the start) and I was able to run consistent miles, adjusting appropriately for hills. Shorts, long sleeve shirt, light gloves. As you can see below, the course is out and back. It starts the first two miles downhill, then flat/small hills for 9 miles, then back up the hill late in the race, around mile 12. (The hill goes right past a hospital ER and is the source of predictable humor.) My plan was to be at 7:30 pace after the first two downhill miles, then try to do each mile 7:30-7:40, until the last 2. I pretty much kept to that except that I was a little fast on a few miles but didn’t suffer for it. I kept thinking I probably wouldn’t be able to maintain this pace late in the race but, to my surprise, felt very good throughout, reeled in several people in the last couple of miles, and even had a little kick at the end. 1. 7:33 2. 7:24 (downhill, nice and easy, don’t go nuts) 3. 7:26 4. 7:32 5. 7:40 6. 7:32 7. 7:29 8. 7:13 (oops, hanging on to someone going a bit too fast for me) 9. 7:20 10. 7:34 11. 7:28 12. 7:54 (back up the hill) 13. 7:22 Final 1:39:01 (7:34 pace) A 3-minute PR for me and DW ran her second half ever, slashing nearly 10 minutes off her Richmond time. A very good day for running.

Way to go Tramps and Mrs. Tramps! 1:39 is a very nice time. That hill at the end looks painful. Congrats on the PR!

Great job for both of you! (wow... 10 minutes off her time? that's hugh!) Tramps you've really found your stride this year and I think 2009 is going to be very good for you. Nice running in the hills!

It was a great day for the Tramps family. Nice fast, consistent pace for you and PRs for both of you. Congratulations. TomS

"Redemption"...the new adventure movie about Tramps..the story of a young semi-young runner who is forced to stop short of his goals. But with grit, determination, and a beer-filled spirit, he conquers his demons not once, but twice. You are definately the man! I can only take partial credit for your fabulous performance, knowing that the memories of all my bad jokes helped propel you up that final monster hill in less than 8 minutes. Way to go, Champ... DickyG

Nice work Tramps. Congrats to you and the Mrs. Yes, those splits are very consistent.

To me, this was like predicting Secretariat at the Belmont Stakes. Your prep for this, with the two marathons, put you in perfect shape for the Half. I didn't know your wife ran, but good for her too. A 10 minute PR suggests she will shave off even more time in the next few races. And now is your vulnerable time, and I know you know enough about it now to have a very easy and gentle December, perfect time for it too. Well done. Spareribs

WTG Tramps, I am soooo happy for you - and - your DW with 2 PR'S . Heck dude, I wasn't falling for the "I probably won't do very well line" like you mentioned before the race. Great job, and thanks for the RR Tim Hey, we need to race together some time....our 1/2 M PR's are less than a minute apart.