Notes
High Cloud Snapple Half-Marathon on the C&O Towpath. Official chip time is 1:51:56.6. Placed 40th overall (out of 274) and 16th in 30-39 age group (out of 47). Loop course from Carderock toward the city and back. The towpath was covered with 4-6 inches of snow and ice, which made the course very challenging. It was below freezing, though, so there was little slush or standing water. My pace was probably more than a minute slower on average than it would have been with the same effort on cleared roads. It was like constantly stumbling on a very uneven surface for 13 miles. The river and trees were beautiful, but I mostly had to keep my eyes fixed on the ground in front of me. The Saucony's held up fine, though unavoidably I turned my ankles many times. Now the outsides of both legs, but especially my right, just above my ankles is sore and tight. Second half significantly faster than the first. Maybe 40 people finished ahead of me. Felt very strong, though now I need to nurse my lower legs. Results:
http://www.mc-coop.org/results/20110129.html