Notes
Got up around 5:00 AM. Met my running partner, Jim, at my house and we drove down together from there, left around 5:30 and got to the race pretty early, about 40 minutes before the start. I followed what is now my regular pre-race routine. A banana, one cup of coffee and some gatorade.
We started in the 1:45 - 1:59 corral but as the race got near, everyone pushed up to the start putting us right near the front of it. Our goal pace was around 1:55 but we planned to see how things went to see if we'd stay together the whole way. I had the Garmin so I was helping Jim to pace his first HM. Perfect weather, about 60F at the start.
Mile 1 - 8:41 (HR 147)
Mile 2 - 8:23 (HR 154)
Mile 3 - 8:15 (HR 163)
First couple of miles are mostly gentle downhill. In the middle of mile 3, I had to take a nature break and Jim ran ahead promising to go slow until I caught up. He didn't exactly slow down so I had to really push it early to catch back up with him. Pushed my HR up to 175, way higher than I wanted. Ended up with a pretty severe stitch and managed to hold pace as we hit some unexpectedly steep short hills into mile 4.
Mile 4 - 8:32 (HR 157)
Mile 5 - 8:29 (HR 156)
By the end of mile 5, I had recovered from the sprint to catch up with Jim. Miles 5 through 9 were through old town, along the river, very flat. My lack of miles was starting to catch up with me though and my HR continued to climb. I ignored it for the most part. Consistent pacing.
Mile 6 - 8:34 (HR 160)
Mile 7 - 8:25 (HR 161)
Mile 8 - 8:24 (HR 162)
Mile 9 - 8:30 (HR 165)
Mile 10 - 8:26 (HR 167) Reaching 90% HR Max
Hills started at Mile 11. Steep and long. Quite a few walkers. I pulled away from Jim at this point after holding him back for the first part of the race.
Mile 11 - 8:43 (HR 171)
Mile 12 - 8:47 (HR 173)
By the start of Mile 13, it becomes flat with a very modest incline.
Mile 13 - 7:55 (HR 177)
Final garmin time - 1:50:48