2012 Morgan Hill Half Marathon Race Report

The last of my 2012 season races is in the books. I chose to do the Morgan Hill Half Marathon (MHMH) solely on when the race was rather than the course. In fact, I didn't even look at the course until about 2 months prior to the race. Turns out the course is a very hilly first 7 miles and a more reasonable 6.1 miles at the end.

gulp

All dreams of PR quickly disappeared. I quickly dismissed pulling out. I'd just make this a training race. I've been struggling all year to learn to pace myself. I would HAVE to pace myself on this in order to survive.

Grumpy was signed up to do the 5k so, he would have some fun today too. As we walked to the Start line, we both joked about how much easier it was to come to a running race than a tri. He was glad he didn't have to play Sherpa today.

Early Morning Chaos

MHMH uses self seeding. One of the mistakes I made at Divas was getting into the corral for the overall pace I had planned rather than the start pace. It's harder to resist going out too fast when the crowd is surging. I seeded myself in the 2:20 group (too fast but I wasn't going any farther back). I was pretty relaxed at this point. Not like any other race I've ever done. I had a good race plan. I was challenging myself to follow the plan. There was no one asking any more of me than to race the plan.

Finally, the race began and I started off easy. Quickly the 2:20 pacer was well beyond me and people were passing me left and right. I kept my starting pace and watched the line of the road (which was straight at this point). By the end of mile 1, the 2:30 pacer had passed me and the Garmin said I had done exactly 1 mile.

I allowed myself to go a little faster if it was easy but, when I noticed my breath or my HR was into zone 3, I pulled back. By mile 4, the road was twisting and turning with a gradual uphill. I had gained and extra .05 miles so, I need to set the line better through this curvy roads. At this point, the 2:40 pacer passed me. I couldn't take it. I didn't want them to get too far out of sight but, I was right at the first big hill. The plan had the provision in it that I might have to walk this hill if the effort was too great. WALK it not STROLL it. So, WALK it I did. A group of 3 women passed me on the way up. When I got to the top, they were doubled over panting. I just started to run again. I never saw them again.

I walked up the second hill with purpose and switched to running as soon as I got to the top of the hill. I had gained another .05 mile on the Garmin. Shoot, need to run a straighter line. This was mile 7 and now the plan strategy changed. Now, I get to let it loose. I flew down that hill (9:07 pace).  I passed the 2:40 pacer who cheered me on (probably thinking I wouldn't hold it). A mile down that hill and the grade started to even out. At this point the plan was to switch to half marathon goal pace (11:24). I had more in my legs but, I knew I needed to finish strong at the end. I tried to keep the pace -- no faster, no slower.

At mile 12, I knew there was a short hill. Unfortunately, had missed the fact that there is a short hill just past mile 11. I let myself walk that hill and tried to muster purpose. I was passing walkers that had started early but, I was mentally struggling to keep going. As I made it up that hill, I just sort of bitch-slapped myself and picked it up. Turning the corner at mile 12, I thought it just run down the hill, turn right, and there was the finish line. I cheered on others and got them running too. We got to the bottom and turned right and it was out another block  before the start of the finish line shoot! I didn't give up. I kept pushing.

The race plan was to finish strong at the end. I averaged 10:06 that last 1/4 mile. In total, Garmin had 13.21 miles. Tough to run a straight line with all the people in the way on those curvy roads.

Result: 2:33:09 PR!


P.S. Grumpy took 3rd in age group.