13.1 Miles, 2 Hours 14 Minutes 24 Seconds
But who’s counting? 
I AM!! As I’ve detailed here, I had a bad injury that kept me out of running for 3 weeks, and only got back into running the week of the half marathon. I managed a 6 mile and an 8 mile in the few days before, and I was able to maintain a 10 minute mile or so throughout. But the half may have turned out to be a different story.
Thankfully, it wasn’t
I bought a local paper the day after the race to find out how things went. Turns out, in the 7 years the race has existed this year had the best weather. Low 70’s at the start, low humidity and not much of a wind. Until the last 2 mile stretch along the boardwalk, which had gale force winds coming off the beach. Doing the math, I averaged a 10.3 minute mile, which I’m particularly proud of considering my first mile was also my slowest, clocking in at about 12 minutes and change. I started to get worried when I saw that 12 staring back at me from my watch after just 1 mile, but the slow pace was mainly due to me jockeying for position with all the other runners crowded into my corral. After that it was smooth sailing.
I was also more prepared this year. Props to my co-worker Theresa who taught me to lower my center of gravity and swing my arms wide when taking hills. The Rock and Roll Half Marathon only has one really nasty hill, nearing the 8 mile mark. I remember last year I struggled to get up that hill. This year, thanks to the tip, I smoked it like it ain’t no thang. 
I also had an ample supply of Runner’s GU (Lemon Lime Flavor). Slurped down a tube 15 min before the race, and at the 4, 8 and 12 mile mark.
I’m also a little ashamed to say I was a little rude to some of the other runners. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and I aimed to run straight come what ever, which means I bumped a few people, on the course and near the water table. Nothing severe, although I did run right between a young couple running side by side. The girl was annoyed. Oh well. We were all in the back corrals, so none of us were in the money. But I had pride on the line!
Still, it wasn’t nearly as much fun as last year. You never forget your first time. Plus I had my brother and his friend with me. We enjoyed the bands as we ran past. None of us were concerned about time, and we had a great night on the town afterward. This year was more of a mission, so it wasn’t as enjoyable. Plus I was by myself, and that’s not as much fun. At any rate, I’ve run the race, and had some great success.
NOW the real fun begins. A little more than 5 weeks to the full marathon in Hartford. There’s no bands to run past, and there’s no gear check at the start. If you needed any proof that Hartford is lame, there you go.
After the 26.2, I don’t what I’ll do. I think I’ll keep running recreationally, as part of a larger health regimen (I’ve been completely ignoring my upper body since March). But races? Dunno. I don’t want to get locked into more of the same, trying to beat my time each year, until I finally can’t do any better, and I’m spending months of training and $65+ registration just to find out how much worse I got. I’d like to find some other goal for 2008. Maybe something easier like driving a stick shift?
There’s always those ultra marathons I keep hearing about!
Mad shout outs to my old roommate DM!! Good to know you’re out there!