Notes
London, Ohio Half Marathon, 1:10:20 for 3rd place. Coming into this race the goal was sub 70 and I believed I was fit enough for that. The weather forecast changed dramatically in the last 10 days going from mid 60’s and sunny start time forecast to upper 40’s, cloudy, and very windy of which I’ll definitely take the second forecast. Course was just out and back on some city streets and a paved bike path, nothing special. The gun went off and immediately broke off the crowed with a pack of 6 including myself. This was the case the first 5 miles, us all in a pack and switching leads/wind blocking. Goal was to go for it and be around 5:20 pace or a bit quicker. In hindsight, first 5 miles were probably too fast but I felt good and thought the wind was against us. Turned around at the halfway mark a little after 10k and that’s when the pain train started. Legs felt okay but not great and breathing was getting more labored. At this point the guy who won took off and I was in 4th. Tried hard to make a very slight move and catch 3rd as he was 10 meters ahead of me. Around mile 8 I was able to ease my way into 3rd. At this point I wasn’t feeling too great but when I passed 3rd (Sam Steven-Jones of Columbus Track Club)I made my stride elegant and slowed down my breathing to make it seem like I was feeling better than he was and mess with his head. The move worked and he never was ahead of me again. Slowed a bit between miles 9-11 which cost me the sub 70. Fought hard to finish in 3rd and grab the $100. Felt good to be able to battle negative thoughts and able to close how I wanted. Overall really happy with this. I was able to PR at any distance for the first time in over a year and this is probably my strongest PR. That sub 70 is coming this fall, time for a little break now.