I’m continuing to write race reports after a race as a way to log what worked and what didn’t and to remember what the race was like. I find it useful to read other race reports to get an idea of what the course will be like as well as the organization of the race. I hope my race reports provide some insight to runners in future years.
This past Sunday, December 8, 2019, I ran the Holiday Half Marathon (results) organized by Potomac River Running. I came in 26th out of 282 with a time of 1:39:15 (7:35/mile pace, for 13.11 mile course), a new half marathon PR. My Garmin says the course was a little short at 12.95 miles, which would set my pace at 7:40/mi.
The race started and ended at Wakefield Park, just west of the Braddock Road exit off 495. It was a cool 27 degrees out at the start, but the temperature warmed up to the mid to upper 30s by the end of the race. I usually dress in short sleeves and shorts, but I wore a long sleeve shirt and long johns underneath my shorts. I thrive in colder weather, but it was a bit cold for me at the start. By the end of the race, I was definitely a little warm.
The race was well organized, and there was also a 4 mile race that started a few minutes after the half marathon. The course was well marked, and there were aid stations throughout. There was a bike guiding the lead runner, but I think they lost track of him toward the end. The winner ended up running a little longer course.
Preparation
I was a little sick for two weeks coming into this race, so I was only able to run about 2 times per week for a couple weeks. Still, I had developed a decent aerobic base over the past 5-6 months, so I felt prepared to run a little faster than my last half marathon (1:46:43). As I mentioned above, I thrive in cold weather and run best in 30-40 degree temperature. Even though I’ve read plenty of articles about half marathon pacing strategy, I reread the same articles to drill into my mind not to start off too fast. The articles generally say to take the first 3 or so miles easy, run a steady pace for miles 3 to 10 or 11, and go hard the last few miles. They also say that you don’t need to fuel too much if you plan on finishing under two hours, but some additional carbs don’t hurt and may actually help many runners.
Race day morning
I woke up early and ate some oatmeal. I started eating oatmeal after I found many runners recommended that or a bagel or toast, and I’ve grown to not dislike it too much. I add a little salt and it’s not bad. Just before I left, I took a Generation UCAN Performance Energy drink mix. I’ve had some success in races with UCAN, so I’m sticking with it as my pre-race fuel. I drove over to Wakefield Park, but most of the parking lot was blocked off for the race, and the spots closest to the start/finish were all taken up. I parked about a quarter mile away at the Audrey Moore RECenter, where there was ample parking. The distance provided an opportunity for a warmup jog. I jogged to pickup my bib and jogged back to drop off the shirt and my jacket at my car. I have a “throwaway” jacket that I don’t care if I lose, and I wore that until a minute before the race start. I left it by a tree, and it was there when I returned.
The race
The race began in the parking lot of Wakefield Park and quickly moved onto the Cross County Trail (CCT) heading north toward Little River Turnpike. After a small loop in a neighborhood and a small hill, we headed back south on the CCT toward Lake Accotink. After going around the east side of Lake Accotink, the course heads south a bit more around a field and back up the west side of Lake Accotink toward the finish.
Miles 1-3
I took miles 1-3 easy, but I wanted to start out a little faster than the almost 9 minute mile I started with at my last half marathon. I felt good for the first 3 miles, and I didn’t feel like I was exerting myself too much. I ran just about every mile in the Herndon Half Marathon a little over 8 minutes. I wanted to run every mile in this race under 8 minutes.
Mile 1: 7:59.6
Mile 2: 7:43.7
Mile 3: 7:41.4
Miles 4-10
I was hoping to run steady for miles 4-10, and I did. My times fluctuated around 7:30/mi, and I didn’t feel my condition deteriorating. I kept running strong. I took some water around mile 4 and some Gatorade around mile 6. I took some water again around mile 10. The course transitioned to gravel/trail for a little bit as we ran around Lake Accotink. I wore my regular running shoes (Hoka Rincon). I had decided against wearing trail running shoes because I ran all my XC races in high school in regular running shoes, and the terrain in this race wasn’t technical at all. One thing to note was that mile markers 7, 8, and 9 were way off (at least a quarter mile). I think by mile 10 or 11, they were back on track.
Mile 4: 7:38.1
Mile 5: 7:29.6
Mile 6: 7:29.7
Mile 7: 7:27.0
Mile 8: 7:26.8
Mile 9: 7:39.8
Mile 10: 7:29.2
Miles 11-finish
The last 3 miles had the most hills. By now, I had been running at a pretty hard pace was starting to feel a little bit of fatigue but definitely not as much as I thought I would. I was able to power through the hills and keep my pace under 8 minutes/mile. By the end, however, I didn’t have much energy for a finishing kick. I sped up for maybe the last 50 meters. Usually, I like to go strong for at least the last quarter mile. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the clock with a 1:39:xx, knowing it was a new PR.
Mile 11: 7:56.4
Mile 12: 7:56.8
Mile 13 (0.95 miles): 7:16.6 (7:42/mi pace)
I ended with a time of 1:39:15 over 12.95 miles, running an average of 7:40/mi.
I’m running the Revel Kulia Marathon in Hawaii next month. It is a mostly downhill marathon, so I’m hoping to run a 3:30-3:35 there, which would be a new PR. My current PR from high school is 3:39:18, back in 2002. If I PR in Hawaii, it will be my first marathon PR in 17 years.
I’m continuing to lose weight. I’m down from 171 lbs earlier this year to about 153 lbs now.
I’m still hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon someday, but I think it will be at least another 2 years before I even have a chance of getting close. I’m slowly improving, and I’m hoping to set some new PRs next year. Maybe 2022 will be the year.
Related post: I Will Qualify For The Boston Marathon by 2020