Heroes Half-Marathon 2011 5-8

The Heroes Half, half marathon in my backyard !  Perfect for my first endurance or so I though when I read the race description.   I knew I can run the distance I have ran 14 to 16 miles routes leading up to this race, so this race was as much about a marathon trial run as it was about accomplishment.  

I had run the route piecewise before and I ran the complete route minus the Marysville loop for training purpose.  I couldn’t run the loop because it loops around a sanitation pound not normally accessible the public, so I turned around at Alberstons.  I set a 2.00 hours finish time.

I experimented with a deep tissue massage a couple of days before the race, as well as indulged myself with another (free) massage from Stringer Chiropractic the day before the race when I picked up my BIB.  I felt so much energy and so much eagerness to run it was an amazing first mile.  I settled into a 8:20 or so pace under 3 miles.  I did not go up passed 9 for the rest of the race.  

Pre-race Nutrition: another experiment lol ...   I had a large plate of angel hair with tomato sauce in the late afternoon the day before (low fat & complex carbs) ... plus 4 oz steak, fruits etc ... I felt i ate too much however by the morning I was hungry.  

Race Day

I woke at 0530 for a 0700 event 20 minutes away and I managed to cut it close, I was almost late at the start .... So, new rule of thumb ... Plan to be at the next event ONE hour BEFORE its start.  I did get enough time to stretch.  For breakfast I had a glass of OJ, APex snack, real eggs, 2 toasts with strawberry jam ...  Seemed like the perfect amount / kind of food ... 

Miles 1-2

I was seated in the back of the pack.  This was a smaller event than the last race I ran, about 300 runners instead of 17,000 for St Patrick Dash.  Once we walked through the starting line I methodologically worked my way through the back of the pack until I was seated about what seemed midway between the slow runners and the faster runners ... I felt like I was gliding on water the first couple of miles.  I hadn’t run for a couple days prior and my legs were just eager to run ... I wasn’t sure what pace would be appropriate for this distance so I decided to let my body run as it wants to singing along to the music.   I settled into my pace as I was nearing the first slope up before the Snohomish river span up Marine View Drive.  I maintained my pace in the slope which kept me moving forward relative to the pack. 

Mile 3 

I saw the leading runner for the 10k event opposite as I neared the Snohomish river span.  A sense of pride came over me as I stepped over the bridge, I am sure even a smirk as I passed the 10k turn around mark knowing I was going all the way.  One checkpoint at a time I though ... I slowed down for my first water refill.  I wasn’t thirsty but I though it was a good idea to hydrate myself anyway.   Besides I needed to practice water refills anyway ...  As I came to find out later in the race ... 

Miles 4 - 5

With target in sight (the Slought), runners in front of me, recalling the first time I ran the 529 between Marysville and North Everett, I quickly covered the slough span to south Marysville but lots of anticipation for the unknown loop around the sanitation area ... Transitioning from asphalt to trail.  I found the trail portion relatively difficult.  I was looking for more even (less gravel) or patched of green.  My footing was loose. I started to focus more on the race, strategizing how fas I needed to head back into Everett ...

Miles 6 - 8

One of the most inspiring moments of the race was coming off the trail heading back to 529 south I saw this guy taking a picture of a runner ahead of me and then he gave her a high five and I though what an inspiring moment it must have been for her ... and for me to witness it.  Newly energized I felt ready to tackle the hard part of the race!   I was waving at northbound runners as I was heading back southbound on 529.  It felt great to see I was ahead and it felt great I felt that I was providing encouragement to them as well.  Back on 529, first refill since the trail, sucked on those electrolyte gel ... water refills affect your rhythm as you slow mostly difficult is slowing down then up, the extra water I was carrying definitely was handy ... I had been pacing that guy in a blue shirt back and forth.  I focused on keeping up with him for the next couple miles.  Water refills affected my rhythm slowing so I decided at mile 8 I would skip the next couple.  

Miles 9 - 10

One thing one my mind ... milepost 10, the 10k turnaround ... At the Snohomish River span.  I caught up to blue shirt guy at mile post 10 ... crossing the span along side him ...  3 miles LEFT !  I broke off blue guy making my way off the span back on Marive view drive.  Last uphill, focusing on number 11, knew if I make it up then it’s all downhill from there LOL 

Miles 11 - 13

Mile 11 at the the of the last uphill, a picture says a thousand words ... I kept up the pace, I am happy, it’s only 2 more miles to finish ... Photographer took my picture as I was coming off the uphill ... Tiredness was finally settling in ... I was more focused on keep up the pace than anything else now.  A battle of will, what it’s all about really ... Your body says no but you say more !  I was still under 2:00 hours at mile 12 so I was exited I was finishing UNDER my time target ... I see the marina traffic light in sigth and runners ahead turning into the finish line.  The finish line is still not visible but can’t be further away than a quarter mile so I push one last time, focus one a great long stride, sighting for the a glimpse of the blue finish line ...

Finish @ 13.1 miles :)  

The blue inflatable, I see it, I draw one last push, The clock says 1:46 ... Half-marathon under 2:00 hours ... Checked !

BIB number: 576

Age: 37

Gender: M

Location: Marysville, WA

Overall place: 54 out of 295

Division place: 10 out of 23

Gender place: 44

Time: 1:45:38

Pace: 8:04