Notes
Finally got my revenge on this race 2 years later (got DQ'd back in the 2010 race). Won the race this year by well over a minute and a half. 2nd place never in sight. Started out conservatively like I always do and then got after it after the first mile. Let a pack of guys go by me that first mile and I just smiled to myself knowing that they wouldn't get very far before I took control. 1 guy tried to go out hard and leave everyone behind the first 3 miles but I caught him when I made my move during the uphill portion of Naito pwy. This is when I took control of the race and surged into 1st and never looked back. Upon cresting Naito, I started the descent into downtown and increased the tempo. Next few miles were fast and I felt good. One thing I did differently at this race was I wore my MP3 player and listened to techno. It was nice because it gave my mind something to focus on during the tough stretches. I felt good during the 2nd half but once I got onto front ave again the wind blasted me (like it did periodically during the race). I was all alone following the police motorcyle and had no protection against the wind. It really hindered me and I feel I could've easily broken my PR if it had been a still wind day. I would go as far to say that this was the worst wind I've ever had to race in. As evidenced by everyone else's times, it made the results look slow. It sucks because I was 100% confident that I was capable of breaking my PR at this race. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait some more before I can take another stab at it. Finished the race going up the bridge and did my trademark sprint to the finish line. Good thing I had the police bike to clear the walkers from my path on the bridge! It was very narrow and crowded. Can't imagine how everyone else had to navigate that. I am happy that I won the race but obviously NOT at all happy with the time I registered. It doesn't come close to showing what I am truly capable of. It is neat though that this is only my 2nd race win ever in my career. I loved that feeling of crossing the finish line first...especially since I have done this race 5 times in my past (dating back to my college days). Helen had to drop out because of an ankle injury. If she hadnt have been injured, we probably could've both won. Granted, this isn't the most competitve half-marathon field, but still there was a few decent people who showed up. Not sure what to do next. Take some time off or do a 10K in 2 weeks??? I guess we'll have to wait and see...