Message posted by: Gary M.

I just finished my first half marathon, weather report was for thunderstorms and rain but as the race gods would have it 5 minutes before the start it stopped raining and held off for the rest of the race. Only problem was I had a long sleeve dry fit on and man was it muggy! I started of the race feeling great and loving the crowd, got by the first km mark with a 5:20 pace (way to fast for me)and my heart rate checked at 160 bpm (the most I have ever seen was 167). I knew I should slow down but damn I felt great and could not do it. Eventually settled in at a pace just over 6 min and hit the 10k mark in 62 minutes, my 2:15 goal was in the bag…I thought, but my HR was still at 159. Everything was going good till 15km, cramps were starting in both legs so my pace slowed a lot. I fought through the last 5k with 3 walks of a minute or so and stumbled home in 2:19:50. Dissapointed but glad I finished, at 50 years old I am proud of myself but want to push harder next time.

I think I needed to slow down at the start like my brain told me but my heart would not let me my competitive spirt did not want people passing me. I assume my cramps were from lactic acid build up as I have never had that feeling before. Well thats done and now on to my frist Sprint Tri of the year on June 5th. I hope I have learned something about pacing!

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