Publix Half - New PR!

This race was a total shot in the dark.  I knew I wanted to run it, but to be honest, after the Miami Marathon, I wasn’t really following a plan.  Next thing I knew it was the week before the race and my longest runs were two 8 milers.  So I went for a 12 miler and a leap of faith that I didn’t lose too much from my marathon training.  I did do a lot more strength training, and I really do think that was the key for this race.

To give you an idea, this course isn’t one you usually PR on.  Its hilly, very hilly.  The last 4 miles go up, finishing with a tough hill into the finish.  I know hills are my strength, so the idea of them didn’t phase me too much.  I usually gain 1000+ elevation on my longer runs, I was prepared for them.  I didn’t really have a game plan going into the race.  I figured I would be conservative and then negative split it.

I had a good place on the starting line and went out controlled.  More so than I normally would.  Then my garmin clicked off mile 1 – 637.  What? There was no mile marker in sight! So when I did come up to the mile mark, it was around 713.  Okay – I was not about to pay attention to my splits on the watch the rest of the day.  I went through the first 5k in 713 average, very controlled, too controlled.  So at that point I decided to move.  I took my first clif gel at mile 5 and was continually picking up the pace.  Since I couldn’t rely on my watch, I did some mental math on the clock time at each mile.  By about mile 9 my time was, what I figured 655ish average.  I knew some serious hills were coming, but I also new I was going to be close to the coveted 90 minute mark.

I took another clif gel at mile 9.5 and was feeling really good going through Piedmont park.  I had begun passing people and no one was passing me back.  I started to reel in some ladies running ahead and I made it my goal to gain on them each mile.  Mile 11, going up another hill, I felt like I was still gaining.  The course flattened out a bit after that and there was going to be a stretch of no hills for a little, then the big one at 12.5.  At this point I know its going to be close and I am giving it everything.

When I turn the corner to the finish line I saw the clock click over 1:30, but I knew I had some seconds to give because I crossed the line a little after the gun.  Face grimacing, I was fighting for it.  1:30:03.  I was super pumped for a 2 minute pr, but I was also pretty upset with myself for those 4 seconds.  I know that sounds bratty, but its the truth.  I am a bit upset I don’t have the splits for my PR, but what can you do.  I do think the last few miles are right for pacing – my last .3 had me at 6:29 pace and I know I had a bunch of miles in the 630s at the end, its the only way I could get my overall average down from what the first 5k was.

The positives of the race were I felt good, felt strong on the hills and I never had anyone pass me on them, negatives splits, fast finish.  A negative is maybe I had too much left.  But all in all, I would much rather negative split the race than go out too fast and die.  I do know I am hungry to bring this down even more, and I know I can.  I am going to bring the mileage up a bit for my next one, San Diego June 3rd.