Notes
US Half Marathon Championship in Houston, Texas. Weather was probably darn close to 60 degrees and humid by race time. Got legs loosened up and just didn't know how the foot would respond. Started out in the back and never felt too comfortable aerobically. Was near the back of the men at the mile in 4:51. By mile 2 things still weren't feeling any smoother with a 5:02. The calf and form just continued to go downhill every mile all race until it finally cramped up on me and I was limping too much to do any good. Mile 3 was 5:08 and already had debated dropping out because of the right leg/foot but just wanted to keep pushing the best I could. Mile 4 was 5:14, mile 5 was 5:17, mile 6 was 5:19. I had still caught a couple people while getting slower and slower. Mile 7 was 5:23, mile 8 was 5:29 and then finally pulled out just past the water stations because I'd been limping pretty good the past few miles and it was turning into too much. Likely close to 8.8 because at mile 8 I was still averaging 5:14 pace and couldn't be running too much slower than 5:30 on that next mile. First time I ever had to drop out of a road race, which was embarrassing and frustrating. Didn't go as planned or hoped at all. At least got a course preview but not a good day.