dep and i participated in this event in 2007, and we finished it in 2:07:25 (chiptime: 2:04:45). this year, i set my goal to finish it in under 2 hours, which means i have to improve my pace from ~10min/mi to ~9min/mi. with the goal set, training runs started in winter. the longest i've done was a 9mi canal d&r pathway trail-run a week before the event.
i picked up my bib/chip/goodies on saturday, may 3rd, the day before the event. bib# was 4309. i also picked up dep's goodies. went home, prepared the gear, and checked the weather. hmmmm, mid-50s. included a windbreaker vest and arm warmers in my packed gear.
event day. had instant oatmeal and left home at ~5:30a. the whole 'crew' came with me to watch the event. arrived at the parking lot at ~7am. had a cliff bar while doing the last minute preparation. met dep at the lot, gave him his goodies, and we proceeded to the starting line. not sure how many registered for this event, but here are the numbers from the official results: 1703 full-marathon and 3705 half-marathon finishers.
dep and i started together, and separated after the first mile mark. he did not have enough training so we have different goals. had to stick with my goal to finish it in under 2 hrs. the marker showed ~13:00 - a slow start. turned my shuffle on and off i went, trying to catch those 4:15 and 4:00 pacers, hopefully. they were no longer within sight so i had to put an extra effort and pushed a little harder. the course had fluid stations every ~1.8 mile, and i've decided to take some sip of gatorade at every station. mile 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 had passed, and i was feeling great so far, doing ~8.30min/mi pace. lots of spectators and supporters along the course, even calling you by your name (if you happen to have your name on your bib, which i have). nice. and very much appreciated.
finally caught up with the 4:00 pacers at about 11 mile mark, and still feeling great. kept going, and slowly gained some distance from them. as the course (half-marathon) got closer to the finish, more spectators kept pushing you to keep going strong (thanks again). finally saw the start/end banner with the time close to the 2 hour mark. gave myself a final push and hit the mat at 1:58:54. with arms raised, goal was achieved - half-marathon in under 2 hours.
epilogue: i believe the hardest obstacle to conquer in such long-distance/endurance events, like half-marathon/marathon runs and century bike rides, is not the physical, but rather the mental capability, and the motivation to do it. once you lose the focus and started asking yourself 'why' you're doing such thing, you will never reach the finish line mark.
run free, ride free.
- #4309
- asics gel cumulus vii
- garmin forerunner 305
- shuffle with regular earphones
dep and i participated in this event in 2007, and we finished it in 2:07:25 (chiptime: 2:04:45). this year, i set my goal to finish it in under 2 hours, which means i have to improve my pace from ~10min/mi to ~9min/mi. with the goal set, training runs started in winter. the longest i've done was a 9mi canal d&r pathway trail-run a week before the event.
i picked up my bib/chip/goodies on saturday, may 3rd, the day before the event. bib# was 4309. i also picked up dep's goodies. went home, prepared the gear, and checked the weather. hmmmm, mid-50s. included a windbreaker vest and arm warmers in my packed gear.
event day. had instant oatmeal and left home at ~5:30a. the whole 'crew' came with me to watch the event. arrived at the parking lot at ~7am. had a cliff bar while doing the last minute preparation. met dep at the lot, gave him his goodies, and we proceeded to the starting line. not sure how many registered for this event, but here are the numbers from the official results: 1703 full-marathon and 3705 half-marathon finishers.
dep and i started together, and separated after the first mile mark. he did not have enough training so we have different goals. had to stick with my goal to finish it in under 2 hrs. the marker showed ~13:00 - a slow start. turned my shuffle on and off i went, trying to catch those 4:15 and 4:00 pacers, hopefully. they were no longer within sight so i had to put an extra effort and pushed a little harder. the course had fluid stations every ~1.8 mile, and i've decided to take some sip of gatorade at every station. mile 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 had passed, and i was feeling great so far, doing ~8.30min/mi pace. lots of spectators and supporters along the course, even calling you by your name (if you happen to have your name on your bib, which i have). nice. and very much appreciated.
finally caught up with the 4:00 pacers at about 11 mile mark, and still feeling great. kept going, and slowly gained some distance from them. as the course (half-marathon) got closer to the finish, more spectators kept pushing you to keep going strong (thanks again). finally saw the start/end banner with the time close to the 2 hour mark. gave myself a final push and hit the mat at 1:58:54. with arms raised, goal was achieved - half-marathon in under 2 hours.
epilogue: i believe the hardest obstacle to conquer in such long-distance/endurance events, like half-marathon/marathon runs and century bike rides, is not the physical, but rather the mental capability, and the motivation to do it. once you lose the focus and started asking yourself 'why' you're doing such thing, you will never reach the finish line mark.
run free, ride free.
