Operation Half Marathon Revenge Accomplished

After my running performance in Vegas, needless to say I was discouraged with my running abilities. I had really put focus on my running this year with some intensive focus in the early season. I had an opportunity with an early season half, and was not given an opportunity to fully perform. As hard as I tried it was just not a pr day. Report can be re capped here.

Coming into this race I was not feeling 100 percent either. The cold weather is setting in and I have put on a few pounds especially after racing Vegas and relaxing a bit. I also woke up tight. But I needed to put that aside and do what needs to be done, RACE a half marathon. Not run it race it.

Once we arrived at the race site and the caveman in me fired up. I was feeling better I was feeling competitive. Not full out jacked, but willing to run. There was competition there lots of fit people and another guy that I know goes sub 1:20 (we will refer to him as sub 1:20 guy). I tried to stay focused and just get loose.

Time flew by and in no time we were lined up. After the speeches the gun went off. I immediately pulled in behind sub 1:20 guy and took his draft for as long as possible. But he was running at sub 1:20 pace and slowly pulled away. Mentally I blocked that out I was starting out feeling good and I liked that. The first 2 miles were good well below the 6:45 pace I was looking for. I believe I was closer to 6:00-6:20 ish. Then the race changed..

Since this was a muti distance race offering a 5k, 10k and half marathon distance there was a turn off for a 5k loop. The sub 1:20 guy took that turn off. I was now leading the half marathon. My mind set shifted. This could be my race, I was feeling good, it was a nice day, and I was in first place.

Through the first 10k loop I stayed strong. So strong in fact I pr'ed my 10k with a time of 39:30. Saw it on the watch I was greatful and then shifted my mind to staying strong on the second lap and avoiding my typical 10 mile shut down. Knowing I had a buffer I backed off a bit and tried to stay even and paced. Surging when I had the opportunity and pacing when it was time.

The second lap was longer and felt like it never ended. I didnt start really suffering until the 12th mile and then I was digging. The race just looked so good on the watch I wanted to keep the numbers where I they needed to be I knew I was paced to break 1:30 the question was by how much??

Coming into the final stretch I helped another participant to finish strong and then started my sprint. I never looked back the whole race, until the end, to see that no one was even close. I saw the clock was reading 1:25 high I knew I was gonna be in the 1:26 bracket so I soaked in the whole race. I double pr'ed, I broke 1:30, and I am finishing first! I cruised across the line arms up!!! Totally thrilled.

You just always gotta come prepared. You never know when your going to have that race. Race every race like it is the most important race of your life, always do your best and you can never have regrets. Your best is always going to be changing, but you need to adapt to the situations. I am just really grateful I was able to conquer some personal barriers that day and it worked out well.

Winkler Half marathon

1:26:34

10k split 39:30