Notes
2019 Illinois Half-Marathon
Official: 75:23 for 18th place overall
Half debut. Gameplan out relaxed the first bit before settling into 75' pace by mile 3. Then wanted to get after the last 5-8k and finish strong.
Executed the first section very well. Didn't get too caught up in the race at the start. Was in between packs, but ran my own race. Grouped up with Jack around mile 1 and worked together really well. First half of the race flew by as we rolled through Urbana. Picked up Richard just after 5, and our pack picked up the pace a bit. Once Jack finished his relay leg, Richard and I kept rolling up through Statues. In Meadowbrook, we grouped up with the lead marathon women for a bit before leaving her behind. Started to struggle as I came up Race and 75' pace slipped away just a bit. Didn't quite have the extra gear I was hoping to the last couple miles, but managed to grit through and finish pretty even. The last quarter I had some people finishing the 10k to race, which was fun, even if one guy stomped on me.
Overall, pleased with the effort. I came out and accomplished what I wanted to. Hoping to stay healthy and use this momentum to crush a half this fall. Big s/o to Jack and Richard for keeping me company and running with me nearly every step of the race. This would have been v lonely and I would not have ran as quickly without them.