Message posted by: Jim R.

Quincy IL. – The group that puts on this has has a half marathon training program for this half. We started in January. Close to 100 people (runners/walkers) joined. So we made lots of new friends along the way.

Race morning was Mostly Cloudy, 44 degree’s with a 20-35 mph wind.

So I wore shorts tshirt and jacket and my faithfull Newtons.

Jackie Joyner Kersey was hour host this weekend. She also presented everyone with their finisher medal.

The cannon went off and the pace car did not. So it was a bit of a cluster on the first turn up the hill and onto the first bridge crossing the mighty Mississippi. Out one bridge and back another at an 8:15 pace. Feeling preety good.

Into a quick hilly park and things are going good. I am running with a couple of buddies and all is well. After the park… it is all flat.

4 miles out is all wind in the face. We hold our 8:15 pace but that last stretch hits us hard and we slow just a bit. But just before the turn back to town… I pick up the pace a feel great. Unfortunatley I drop my two buddies in doing so. The next three miles I run in the low eights.

Another friend is 100 yards in front of me and I want to catch him.

Just when I was getting heavey legs… two people pass me and I jump on their butts and pick up my pace. I catch my friend and the last two miles are at a 7:50 pace.

For my first Half Marathon without a swim and a bike… I finish with a 1:46 at an 8:08 pace. 14th in my AG

Thanks again to JamieB for helping me plan my run.

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