I was not planning to run the Buckeye ½ Marathon this year, thinking it was the same weekend as the River Run. But this year it was earlier and Liz suggested that we run it. This was her first race, a 5K three years ago.
This race is sponsored by our running club with lots of competition and fast times. The day was nearly perfect for running. Cool, sunny but shaded, low humidity.
The day before the race I ran a 20 miler training run at 8:15 pace so I did not think I would do well in this half. I saw it more as a tempo run. Here is a picture at the start line (on Riverview Road):
I decided to follow the 1:35 pace leader (Lloyd Thomas, 7:15 pace) thinking that I will drop back after I get tired. The first three miles were as follows: 7:21, 7:02, 7:12.
After mile 3 I pulled ahead from the pace group, thinking that they will catch up with me later. I was running comfortably at the time. But I found myself going faster and faster, passing runner after runner and feeling very strong, until the end. Splits: 7:09, 7:07, 6:55, 7:02, 7:05, 7:05, 6:53, 7:03, 7:01, 7:00, 6:43 (last 0.1).
Final time: 1:33:14.
This was good for 68/502 overall and 7/37 in my age group (50-54).
I was very pleased with my effort! Instead of feeling tired and heavy from yesterday's 20 mile run, I felt very strong. My time is my 5th best 1/2 time. My PR (1:31:16) and best 3 times are from last year.
Liz (last picture above) finished with a new PR, 2:05:50 (9:37 pace), 7/17 in her age group (50-54). She was pleased with her effort. She has decided that if she does not care for a race, like this one, she does well.
One comment about the race organization: The volunteers and crowd support was great, but they ran out of water cups (I had to open my mouth to pour warm water in the last aid station), the only liquid during and after the race was water, and the only food after the race was pasta (no salad, no fruits???) Is this the result of some kind of cost-cutting effort?
Well, I ate 5 plates of pasta.
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