Message posted by: Rich L.

Better late than never.

Ran the Heart Center of the Rockies Half Marathon on November 6th.

Been trainig for this kind of half-ass since my last sprint tri in September. Planned on training hard and getting a PR so I can put this distance to rest and focus entirely on tris next year. Knee issues kept me from training as hard as I’d liked to. Little history: I run the Horsetooth half every year which is a very hilly course with some major climbs and descents. Punishing yet satisfying but not a course to judge your true half marathon potential.

My friends talked me into the Heart Center half to try for a PR and to see just how fast I can go. The course is almost perfectly flat. A nice scenic route around and near Boyd Lake in Loveland Colorado.

Leading up to the race I had some painfull swelling in my knee. Had a meniscus tear repaired a couple years ago and every now and then it tells me when I’ve over done it. Decided to take the week before the race off to let it heal.

Still pretty motivated to do well until the day before when I caught a case of food poisoning. Vomitting and diarrhea until mid afternoon when abruptly I feel fine. I spend the rest of the day getting rehydrated and trying to fuel up.

Race morning was beautiful. Sunny and cold. Upper 30′s at the start. Perfect day for a run and I was feeling fine. Forecast called for a 60 degree day so I knew it would be warmer by the end. Ran into a handful of people I knew and warmed up with them.

The start was a little crowded but the mood was good. Kind of cramped starting on a bike path but the crowd broke up fast once we started.

Right off the bat got in a group of runner who were running a comfortable pace. Stuck with them for the first three milles. Look down at my garmin and to my surprise I’m holding a 7:15 pace. I was hoping to average a 7:30 pace but the faster pace felt good so I stuck with it. My little group got strung out over the next mile or so until I guy who wasn’t even breathing hard catches me from behind and gives me some encouraging words. He pushed me to run a little faster and we reeled in a a half dozen people before I couldn’t keep up with him any more. The middle miles were tough mentally. Found myself in no-mans land. No one pushing me from behind and no one close enought to try and chase. Finally got close enough to someone to try and run them down around mile 10. Was pushing a little too hard to keep pace so I dicide to slow down for a mile so I had something left for the final kick. Bad move. Hit the 11 mile mark and totally fell apart. The lack of fuel and hydration from th
e day before cought up with me. Went from a 7:20 pace to a 8:30 pace and felt like I was carying a 50 pound back pack. Dug deep and got back to a 8:00 pace for the last bit.

Still somehow managed a PR by 5 minutes. I was shocked. Didn’t think I could get a 1:36:06 if I was chased by a bear. So happy. On top of that three of my friends got PR’s that day and one won the womens over-all. Awesome race. Great day for all. Pancakes and music at the finish.

Got what I wanted. Crushed my old PR, battled adversity and can now put the half marathon behind me. I can now have an off season and focus on sprint and oly tris next year. Thanks for letting me get this out. Sorry so long.

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