Notes
2017 New Bedford Half Marathon - HM debut! Final Boston prep race for me; also there were the GBTC guys, the TLS Shanon, Steve Hammar, AND Ryan Moran showing up on the road race scene! USATF GP race, so super competitive. Had an idea that I could run ~75', but was a little shaken after last weekend, so very pleased with this - a well executed race.
Started with Steve, since I knew we were both aiming for 5:40s. We were a little slow off the line, and it was VERY windy at the start, so we quickly realized we needed to get up with a big pack that was forming. Caught that group around a mile and tucked in, the next 3 miles were fairly windy and had some rolling hills, legs didn't feel gr8 going uphill which was a bit unnerving so early in the race, but told myself it was NBD. Took water at probably the first 5 of 7 water steps, the first few were rough but got the technique down before long. When we hit the residential section around 4 miles, the pack disintegrated and it was mostly just Steve, Eric H, and I cruising along. It was a nice, long gradual downhill (with the wind!) from there to almost mile 9, so I felt great running low 5:30s. Took out my GU and started to sip on it a bit after 6 miles. Turning onto Cove St, there was a pretty windy stretch where I found myself in the unfortunate position of leading a group of guys drafting on me. Luckily, I finished ahead of all of them. After a slower mile 8, Eric H took off, and I figured that he knew what he was doing so went with him - lost Steve at that point. Was mentally prepared for it to be tough when we took the turn, but DANG it was brutal. Awful headwind mile 10, I was afraid that if it kept up the whole way I was toast. Eric dropped back and I was all by my lonesome :( Thankfully, after a really tough mile and a half stretch the wind went from "unbearable" to "tough but manageable" for the rest of the race. The final hill really wasn't as bad as it was made out to be, it was hard but I felt decently strong still and even managed to pass a few more people - ready to be done at that point. SPRINTED to the finish line with visions of Pat Cav passing me in my head, probably as fast as I have ever finished a road race.
Very pleased with the effort, placing, and time! JD gives it a 62.7 (!) - 2:37:19 equivalent !! Presumably I get slower with distance, but HM -> M predictor can't be thattt off - I am back to thinking that sub 2:40 is a possibility. Gonna roll with whatever Paul is willing to do though, so wouldn't be opposed to targeting a more conservative pace - I have a lot of PR room to play with. Never have hit a MP workout at 6:07 pace, so may not be wise to jump into that for the 'thon. This is definitely my best road performance ever, I thinkkk my mile / 3k track PRs are stronger, but I'm getting there... I don't think there was ever a time before now where I was in shape to run the race I did today. :chart_with_upwards_trend:
Woke up 4 hours before at 7, had a PB + bagel ~7:30 and another ~9. Took a caffeine pill w/ water 1 hour before the race, just before warming up.