Well that was just about the most perfect race I've ran all year.
Goal was for under 2:12 for me. Finished in 2:09:30!!!! 8th in my age group, 192nd out of 450 overall. When I passed the 12 mile mark with 2:00:10 showing on my watch I went all out to get under 2:10. Last 1.1 miles I was going at 8:30min/mile pace. I think my hydration strategy helped with that. Winning time was 1:23:40.
Not bad for my first ever half marathon! And on a trail to boot.
Few races notes...the race is called The Legend Half Marathon in Sleepy Hollow State Park...and the weather helped with the theme it was 58F with almost 100% RH at start time, which meant lots of fog and a damp course initially.
Course was not too technical, roots and sand were the main hazards throughout, but a good 4 miles of the course including the last 2 miles were on relatively flat open prairie. 3 of the hills were essentially full scramble hills like 20-25% grade with roots and loose gravel. Thankfully they weren't very big only like 100ft in elevation change.
I half fell at mile 10.5, stumbled on a hidden root in the grass. Followed a pretty strict food and hydration strategy. Had 3 GUs and about 12 of the little 20 cal gatorade chews and 2 chunks of beef jerky. Drank 60 oz of half water/gatorade mix and never felt bad/nauseated/hitting the wall.
That being said, most of the people on the course didn't even have water bottles with them. As a ER nurse it makes me shake my head, sure it was cool at start time but it was damn humid, and by mile 8 or so it had shot into the mid 70s but the humidity was still quite high. Speaking as a nurse and not a runner for a moment, that's a recipe for disaster and it is just horrible(and definitely dangerous) for you. There is nothing wrong with eating or drinking while running. The winner of the whole thing had a camelbak hydration pack on FFS. Use common sense out there people!
+13.1 miles
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