This has got to be the most beautiful race I have run yet. The course was great - it wound through the Lake Minnetonka area through a variety of terrain, through neighborhoods, on the side of busier streets, on some country roads, and of course along the lake itself then finished on about a mile of gravel trail. There were a good number of hills, some of which were quite steep, but not too many long ones. It was a nice variety and therefore would be hard to get bored. Add to that the most gorgeous weather we have had all year (50s-60s with a little sunshine for the race) and you get a very enjoyable race.
I decided to try something different for this race...audiobooks! I have used them in the past, but haven't in a while...and not at all since I have actually been able to run for more than an hour. An old friend who happens to runs marathons suggested trying it for my marathon training. I got something from the library loaded it on my Sansa.
Since I wasn't expecting to do all that well, I barely looked at my pace, I just ran what felt comfortable and enjoyed the story and the scenery. Each time my Garmin beeped to tell me I had finished another mile I was surprised...especially when I would see what my pace was for the mile! I took a Hammer gel between 4-5 miles which really helped (I don't think I have used one since my last HM in October) and I wished that I had another one for around mile 10. The last couple miles were a little tough...I really had to push myself not to start walking during the last one. I only walked a few minutes total (to take the gel and fidget with my Sansa...next time, I'll put the whole book in a playlist!)
In the end, not only did I PR (by 11 minutes!!) but I beat my 2009 HM goal by 3 minutes and finished in 2:16:40!!
This morning I am stiff. I tried to run on the treadmill and my legs wouldn't work right. I did a few miles on the bike instead (with no problems). Hopefully tomorrow I can start on that marathon training...
Stats
Race: Wells Fargo Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon
Date: May 3, 2009
Distance: Half Marathon
Official Time: 2:16:40
Average Pace: 10:26
Overall Place: 1403/1754
Place in Age Group: 303/403
Goals for my 43rd Year
5 weeks ago
3 comments:
Awesome job on the PR! I saw that Eric Perkins of Kare11 ran that race as well. It sounds like a nice course. Great job!
YAY! Great job on the PR and on already achieving one of your big goals for the year! :) I might have to try this book on tape thing!
Shoot! I'm bummed that I didn't read your comment before the race. Would have been fun to meet you. I'm sure we passed each other at the turn :) It was a fun day. Hard on my legs, but a good race I thought. Superb weather too! Hope you had a good race.
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