3M Half Marathon 2018

The last time I ran 3M was back in 2015 and I PR'd with a 1:55:21 chip time.  I didn't run in 2016 as I had completed the Houston Marathon the weekend before with a PR of 4:18.  I was supposed to run 3M last year but I was recovering from my hip injury and couldn't run any of the ADC.  3 years later I finally got to run 3M again, though I wasn't sure if I'd be able to PR.  A few of us Pfelly's are training for Austin Full in Feb, so speed was not our goal.  I should have followed my plan and run a more consistent pace, but instead I tried to go out at that PR pace from 3 years ago and it was not meant to be.  Nasty weather conditions and little speed/track work quickly squashed those dreams.

The weather all week was excellent!  Super cold, in the 20's every morning, making for great runs.  However by the time we got to Saturday the weather changed!  It was muggy, 100% humidity, rainy, 7-8 mph winds and it was already 60 degrees at 4am!  This did not bode well for my race, my pace is drastically affected by heat and humidity.  The only nice thing about the weather was that it was overcast instead of clear.

Saturday night we ate at the Team Beef Headquarters, #fuledbybeef!  I don't remember who catered the food but it was really good!  Fancy salad, mashed potatoes, bread, grilled veggies, these amazing cold beef tenderloin slices (rare, just the way I like it!) and for dessert they had angel food cake with berries/sauce and whipped cream.  I was stuffed!  After dinner I came home and got everything ready for my race before heading to bed at 10:30 pm.

My alarm went off at 5:25 am and the 1st thing I did was check the weather.  The rain had pushed out, so no longer thunderstorms during the race, but the temp was now 62 degrees with 99% humidity.  UGH!  I did not eat my normal toast with PB as I was still full from the beef dinner.  I met the rest of the Pfelly's at the FP clubhouse at 6:15 am and then we all carpooled to the gateway theater which was right next to the starting line.  Thankfully I didn't need to use the potty as the lines were crazy long.  We took some group pics, I ate my Gu, and then headed to the start line at 7:15 am.  This year the race started at 7:30 am instead of 7.  I lined up around the 1:50 pace group, delusions of grandeur.

Per-race group shot 1/21/2018

Ready to run!

I felt strong when we started, going out at an 8:30 pace, it rained on us about 1/2 a mile in but it didn't last long.  I was able to keep a sub 9 pace for the first 5 miles.  However by mile 4 I felt like puking, the humidity was getting to me, so I started to slow down.  By mile 8 the 2 hr pacer group passed me and I realized I had to give up my goal of breaking 2 hours and just focus on finishing.  Mile 10 was my slowest mile as that was uphill.  Normally I would have had my 3rd Gu at this time but nothing sounded good and I was worried I'd puke if I ate it, so I skipped it.  I was able to pick up my pace a bit the last 3 miles as I just wanted the race to be over.  They changed the course a little at the end and I liked the last mile to the finish, it was a flat straight away vs the turn and incline to the finish it had been in past years.

By the ADC tent - thank goodness we are done!

My official chip time was 2:02:09 at a 9:19 pace.  My Garmin said I ran 13.2 miles in 2:02:10 for a 9:15 pace.  I felt miserable but at least it was over and I got my medal.  We waited until 10 am for the rest of the runners before heading to the buses at which point it began to rain on us.  Once back at our cars we changed clothes and headed over to NXNW for brunch at 11 am.  NXNW gave us a free drink with our bibs!  My favorite thing about this day was the brunch and bloody Mary's.  😀


Next up, Austin Full.  Finger's crossed for better weather...I'm dreading this marathon.

capitol pic

Avg pace - 9:15 (going off 13.2 miles, Garmin)
Mile 1 - 8:24, Mile 2 - 8:35, Mile 3 - 8:43, Mile 4 - 8:48, Mile 5 - 8:57, Mile 6 - 9:11, Mile 7 - 9:16, Mile 8 - 9:22, Mile 9 - 9:35, Mile 10 - 10:01 (incline), Mile 11 - 9:55, Mile 12 - 9:52 Mile 13 - 9:35, last 0.2 - 1:46 (8:48 pace)

medal

Race prep:
What I ate:  Team Beef dinner at Beef Council Headquarters; cold beef tenderloin, bread, mashed potatoes, grilled veggies, angel food cake w/ berries.  I skipped my traditional race breakfast this time.  I wore my hydration vest so I didn't have to stop at any water stops, 3 Gu's total throughout the race (1 at start, mile 5 and I skipped mile 10).
What I wore:  My lulu speed track shorts, team beef tank, hat, Garmin watch, hydration vest, Brooks Glycerin shoes (size 10), Sof Sole running socks.  I did not gear check anything.
Other items I carried:  3 Gu's, mp3 player, phone.