RunningAHEAD - Topic: Council Bluffs Half Marathon Race Report

selb3

posted: 6/11/2009 at 11:25 AM

Hi all, I am making a return to the forum after a long absence. My running has taken a hit, due to lack of motivation, etc., blah, blah. I believe I am pulling out of the down period, and am getting back at it.

Council Bluffs (Iowa) Half Marathon. Inaugural event. Well attended and well run. Also had a 5k.

Race started near the newly constructed pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River, linking Omaha and Council Bluffs. Cool with threat of rain at the 7:00 a.m. start. About 550 in the half marathon. Threat of rain materialized during the first mile, and we had rain for several miles. Most of the run was on a bike path/running trail. As alluded to above, since my training and motivation has been lax of late, my expectations for the race were to finish, and try to finish around 2:00. Started off comfortably in the 8:45 pace range for several miles, settled into a 9:15 or so pace until around mile 9 or 10 and ran the last 3 miles at 10:00. Finished - goal one achieved. Time was 2:03, goal two achieved. Finish was at the Harrah's Casino, and they had a nice finisher's spread of muffins, fruit, water, sandwiches.

Long term goal now is to get back to serious training and regular running, with eyes on an under 4:00 for my fall marathon.

Dave

coastwalker

posted: 6/11/2009 at 12:50 PM

Hi Dave,

Welcome back! It must have felt good to have achieved both your goals, even in the rain, in this return-to-running race.

550 people in a first-time half is a pretty respectable turn-out. Interesting place they chose for the finish - were the winners encouraged to try to 'extend' their awards at the casino?

Good luck with your training for the fall marathon. With this race under your belt, you're off to a great start!

Jay

Without ice cream there would be darkness and chaos.

tselbs

posted: 6/11/2009 at 1:17 PM

Way to go Dave. I'm glad to hear you've got your motivation back. Keep up the good work and smoke that fall marathon.

Tom

SueT48

posted: 6/11/2009 at 1:21 PM

Good to have you back, Dave! Congratulations on a nice race and race report! Good to hear you are getting back to running - keep posting!

Sue Running is a mental sport...and we're all insane! Anonymous

wildchild

Carolyn

posted: 6/11/2009 at 1:28 PM

congrats on your racing comeback, and glad to see you posting again. A casino seems an odd place for an after-race party - I wouldn't think sweaty runners and casino patrons would mix too well!

_{I hammered down the trail, passing rocks and trees like they were standing still.}

Holly S.

Marathon Maniac #957

posted: 6/11/2009 at 2:52 PM
modified: 6/11/2009 at 2:57 PM

Nice job! Glad you're coming out of your slump. We all go through motivation lapses periodically. Have you picked out a fall marathon?

Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."

runningsmarter

posted: 6/11/2009 at 4:01 PM

Welcome back Dave, and a nice run too! I only recently made it back myself. Looking forward to hearing more as your training progresses. Which fall marathon are you goind to do?

rs

Troy Strawberry Festival 10k - 6/7/09 - Goal 46:xx -->46:18!!; Americana 5k - 7/4/09 - Goal 21:xx-->21:12!!; Brookville 5 miler - 7/25/09 - Goal-->~~34:xx~~-->36:21; Crim 10 Miler - 8/22/09 - Goal sub-1:15-->1:14:14!!; Alter 5k - 9/5/09 - Goal 20:xx-->20:32; AF Marathon - 9/19/09 - Goal ~~sub-3:38 (PR)~~--> 3:41 (BQ)

rochrunner