IMS Half Marathon

The weather this morning was overcast but  the running perfect temperature for the IMS Half Marathon.

The chip on the back of the bib was a new design to me

Last year I qualified for Boston at this race (the full) and so the race and its course holds great memories for me.  I had my usual bout of nerves and freaked out when I saw the long line for the port-a-potties.  The problem with a single line for the restrooms is usually there are some open ones that no one knows about. There were 5 open that I called out to people waiting in line as I walked by the open ones.  I debated wearing my visor in case the rain broke through the clouds and decided against it.

Mile 11.5 picture by Coach Dean

Michael and I were running a similar 7:50 pace and he helped keep me slower in the beginning.  This was great because I go out too fast. At mile 2, the rain started and I really wished I had my visor.  Luckily the rain lasted only a couple of miles and stopped until mile 11. We ran 7:50's the first 4 miles and then I picked it up a little as part of my plan. Start slower and pick it up and maybe I could get a PR if things went well.  I ran around 7:40's and felt pretty good until mile 11 when I started to feel a twinge in my left calf. At mile 11.5 my hamstring joined in the tightness party. Each step hurt more. I had never had this happen in a race and needed to hold onto my pace for another 1.5 miles and not have my hamstring completely seize up on me. Fortunately for me, Coach Dean showed up with camera in hand and I whined to him about my hamstring.  He ran with me for almost a mile telling me to slow down my breathing, watch my form and run tall, shift my focus and quit looking at the (damn) Garmin. There was a girl in pink in front of me and I tried so hard to catch her but just never made it.

My Garmin time is 1:42:12 and showed 13.26 mileage. I did start the Garmin too soon (at the start instead of at the starting mat so need to subtract about .03). I'm waiting for the official results but it looks like I missed a PR by 8 seconds. That's ok because it was a good hard race and I ran well.

The shirt is nicely tailored and thick, technical material. Really nice

Finished medal and bib (I love bibs with my name printed on it.) 

I've run in the rain before but this was the first time race conditions weren't ideal. I'm glad the weather was incremental because it's possible the weather at Boston will not be nice and sunny.  The second thing I'm glad about is that I can run through a tight hamstring. It still hurts like a bugger and will most likely affect my running this week but it was good to have it happen in a race and still be able to not only finish but maintain my pace.