A mild weather decided to give way to some crappy spring weather in April and May. Race day arrived with a temperature of 32 and light drizzle, with a few flakes for good measure. As I drove to the race, I wondered why did I sign up for a race with a 6:30am start in spring? At least there was no traffic, and I’d be home early. This start was too early for the family, so they slept in.
Actually, the sole reason for doing this race was to make it under the 1:30 limit that would get me an guaranteed entry into the NYC marathon as a master. The half course has a new layout that is slightly uphill going out and a hopefully helpful downstream return. Much better than when I did the race in it’s first edition, when the start was also in City Park but finished at the Colorado Mills shopping mall. A long, straight uphill grind on Colfax, that I vowed never to run again. But now the half goes out east on Colfax for about 5m, turns right for a few blocks, then returns down a nice residential street to the park. Two long stretches for even pacing. They also run a Marathon, but on a different route. I always wonder why a RD would do this, rather than running two laps of a half course? Seems like a whole lot more involved and I don’t see the benefit. As a supporter, you’d get to see your runner start, halfway and finish. And as a runner, any doubts about the unseen portion of the course is removed.
So it’s cold and damp for the start, but at least not just raining. I put a little icy hot and Vaseline on the hamstrings to make them feel better. I wasn’t too motivated and didn’t feel like I was going to get the time. An ongoing nerve impingement that I’ve had in my back for the last two years gives me off and on pain in my left hip, and it had been “on” recently.
I start about 5 rows back, which looks pretty close to the front. Somehow I still have to dodge a lot of people for the first mile. How do all those with IPhones strapped two their arms get in front of me? How much time do they cost me every time? Once out on Colfax for the straight shot it thins out and I get in a nice group. Always nice to be in a pack and not have to make the mental effort to stay on pace. And I can see that I’m right on the 6:50/mile target. Not motivated or feeling great, but knowing that now I just have to keep going if I’m this close.
At the half point, still nearly exactly on 1:30 pace. The route makes a quick dodge through a fire station and then the return straightaway to the park. If it were warmer, this would be a really nice course for a good time as far as Colorado races go. The down hill is just enough to feel it helping you. Running on Colfax is interesting for a bit, but this road a few blocks north is nicer to run.
As I enter the park for the last two miles, I’m still right around 1:30 pace, but I know I have to push it to get under. Normally, that’s how I like to do any race, as a fast finish is far more enjoyable. I manage to pick up a few places with a surge over the last mile, but as I come into view of the finish clock around the final bend I see it just ticking to 1:30, and I finish in clock time of 1:30:15. The race photo service actually catches 3 shots of me in the finish and you can see my disappointment. (When I look at it later I nearly laugh.)
I go home, clean up and take a nap. Get up again at 10am, almost like starting a new day! I check back on the race site for the official results, and I see my chip time is 1:30:03. I don’t know what NC would accept, but I can only think of the IPhone blockers!
Really, I’m not that disappointed. I didn’t think I was going to be close to the time going into it. So I commit to running the 1/2 at the Rock n Roll Denver in October. I’m always much better in fall when I’ve gotten to run through the summer heat and then cool temps.
(Overall place: 56, Age Group: 12, Pace: 6:53/mile)
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