Everything fell into place the week before this race and I knew I could have a great race. I didn't do any intervals or tempo runs or much speed work at all in my training, just cranked out a lot miles on the treadmill mixed with some longer runs on Saturday. I was confident I was more fit than last year and could beat my time of 1:30.
I warmed up 2.00 miles up the road, nice and easy. It was cool at the start and I got off the bus with more than an hour before the race started, so I was ready to warm up literally. Once again, warming up pays off and half a mile up the road was an empty campground with lots of open bathrooms. Beats waiting twenty plus minutes at the port a potties.
Got lined up and once the gun went off I saw 5-6 girls dash out in front of me. I wanted to start conservative, and aim for a 1:25 pace (6:30). I ended up running next to a girl and noticed she had on an Ogden Half Marathon shirt. What a small world! Ran with her for 5ish miles and then slowly left her behind and started picking off each girl in front of me.
By mile 7 I was in second place, with 1st place a good quarter mile ahead, but I was gaining on her. By mile 8 she was standing on the side of the road cramped up.
Once I took the lead my adrenaline took over and I just kept cranking out the miles. I had a biker who stayed with me because I was the lead girl, and he kept my updated on who was behind me, and how far. By mile 10 it was obvious that I was going to win, as long as nothing crazy happened. I had no idea what time I was going to finish at, but knew I was still consistently under 1:25 pace.
The last mile I was starting to get fatigued, but the crowds pulled me in and I finished in 1:23:35. My best half is 1:22:59 (Ogden Half 2007), but this race was at sea level so I have to factor that in as well, yet I do feel like it is a bit harder course than Ogden.
It was so fun to be fit again! I haven't won a race since having kids, and hadn't run under a 1:30 half marathon since having kids either. Which means it has been almost 7 years! I know with some speedwork I can still see improvements. So exciting.
Not sure what my next race will be, but I need to get signed up for something to keep me motivated. And I won $150!
Splits: 6:16, 6:28, 6:27, 6:24, 6:19, 6:21, 6:23, 6:17, 6:14, 6:24, 6:23, 6:28, 6:20, 6:04 pace (last .14)
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