Notes
Lots to talk about for this one.
First of all, clearly this wasn't a marathon. I got a text when I woke up saying the marathon was canceled due to flooding on the course. Claire's family and my family were monitoring the forecast all weekend and I went to bed nervous that I was going to run in pouring rain for 3 hours. Turns out it didn't rain at all during the race but it sure did overnight (obviously, since the marathon course flooded). The half course was fine so they invited all marathoners to run the half. The news brought mixed emotions. Part of me was happy I didn't have to do the full 'thon since I was uncertain about my fitness for it. Like even when I felt more in shape, 18 miles really hurt by the end. But mostly I was upset since I didn't get to check this off my list. The half also went really well so I think I would've definitely broke 3. Oh well.
Second, HOLY SHIT HOW DID I RUN THIS FAST. Since I wasn't planning on running a half, I had no clue what to aim for. I texted Claire beforehand that I was just hoping to PR (previous best was 1:25), so I was gonna try 6:25 pace and see how it felt. Mile 1 was just slightly faster than that but it felt chill so I didn't slow down. I seemed to settle into 6:10 pace for the next 7. I knew it could spell disaster for the second half but I also knew I had tailwind in the first half and I felt smooth so I just went with it. Took some double espresso goo at 8 and I think that really made gears start turning. I kept waiting for a good time to just let go and by the time I got to Lambeau with only 4 miles to go, I said fuck it and dialed it up a notch. I had so much energy. I dished out high fives all around and even sparked a conversation with a guy running passed me. He was surging so I let him go ahead but I told him I'd get him later. It helped that my fan club was roaring, too. The last 4 were lonely and windy, but that didn't stop me. I just stayed focused and didn't let up. It didn't even dawn on me that I had a chance to break 1:20 until I started to see 5:4x show up multiple times and that gave me even more motivation to keep pushing. I just kept focusing on the next person in front of me and slowly catch them. One of them was that guy I promised to catch. The pace was finally catching up to me on mile 13, into the strongest headwind nonetheless, but it was only one mile, so I sucked it up and kept pushing. 1:20:05. I'd call that a PR.
How? Not sure. Maybe this is evidence that you don't need to taper that much. Hell, this was my third half marathon this WEEK. I think I did all the little things right on the day of and day before, too. I seriously carbed up the night before and ate a handful of granola when I woke up. I also didn't forget my goo. I ate one 15 min before the gun and the extra caffeinated one at mile 8. Did a short warm up and didn't really mentally stress out at all. Also, besides the little bit of wind, which seemed to be more helpful than harmful on this specific course, the temperature was perfect not to overheat, profusely sweat, or need to bundle up.
Really, really happy about this race. Now I gotta keep training and find another marathon so I can check that off the list.