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Half Marathon in the Park

September 12, 2010 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 60 and drizzle -perfect

Comments:
Ran (actually raced) my first half marathon in 14 years. Quite satisfied. 17th place in 1:19:02. (6:02 pace?) After claiming for a week that I'd just run it as a tempo, I recalled I don't know how not to compete. Mark B drove me to Rockville Metro and we jogged almost 2 miles and did bare minimum drills and strides.

Took advantage of the primarily downhill first two miles from Rockville Metro to Rock Creek Park. Settled into a "comfortable pace" along the bike path, but definitely ran downhills hard and worked off of the people around me to stay focused. Generally stayed nicely focused, although I definitely let myself ease up around miles 9.5-12. I had worked from 21st to 14th from mile 3 to 8, but then I slipped to 20th. Worked hard to accelerate in the last mile (along crescent to Bethesda)and finished by pulling away from Mark Hoon and overtaking a guy I'd traded with. Pleased with how controlled it all felt in the end. Pretty well beat up afterward, particularly in the knees and top of left foot.

splits: 5:42 (5:40 net time), 5:46, 6:07, 5:57, 5:50, 6:01, --, 12:12, 5:56, 6:12, 6:16, 6:22, 6:37 1:19:04 (19:02 net time). Jogged home from Bethesda afterward with company from Berenson for most. Mark and I had shared effort and position for the first three of four miles until a gap opened on a tight downhill. He ran 1:20:11 net I suspect for 22nd place overall! Good day for Hoppers!