Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Lyncburg and Patrick Henry Half Marathons 2015 - The August Bliss is back


My race experience - 5/5 for both races

It is exactly the same story third year in a row, except one key difference. I am married and my wife motivates me by either running with me or incase of these two marathons cheering for me at the finish line. Just like last 2 years, I joined Marathon training team. During the runs and prep races (Cul-de-Sacs and Pony Pasture)I paced better this year. So I was hoping to better my last year PR 02:12:28 at Patrick Henry. This year i signed up late for Lynchburg as i was trying to cut down on doing more than enough races, but in the end i couldn't. This was one of my two favorite half marathon, so i signed up again.

Start line
Lynchburg was first. The route was imprinted in my mind. I remember every turn. The weather was favorable. For the first time in a half marathon I chose to not take my watch (also I did not charge it the night before). Neha chose to click pictures at start and finish, so I had my own personal photographer now. In the first 4 miles I targeted a few people who I felt going at the good pace and just followed them. This works for me most times, as I need not to maintain my pace, it gets tuned it auto mode. At the hill on mile 4 I chose to walk after half way, like last year. After the SAG at the top of hill I continued on the rolling hills looping around the campus.  I did ask time twice or three times along two loops, and I was mostly in same pace as last year. 
reaching mile 13

 After two loops mile 8 was downhill to the island. Once I completed 10 I asked time again at the SAG and it was ~1:45 hrs since race started. So I had 28 minutes for rest 3.1 miles. I was feeling tired so I again started following the person running in front, then as I passed him. I pursued the lady ahead of him. That helped, also this time I kept my mind busy with making up stories in my mind about 'Fallen leaves'. I have no idea how I caught that. When mile marker 12 showed up, I increased my pace a bit. As I reached 13 I saw Neha waving. I increased my speed more. She was clicking pictures. I passed the finish line, but I did not have the watch to confirm my time. I was almost sure but not 100%. I had to wait for some time but it was a PR by 9 secs 2:12:19. I was happy.

The Start is the finish too... :)


Patrick Henry was after two weeks. Neha volunteered at the finish line. Ranjan and I were running the race. I knew Ranjan would go fast and I shouldn't. The PR was in my mind and weather was great. As the race started Ranjan was already at faster pace. I started following someone with my kind of pace. I saw Tina, she was going faster and I tagged with her. I looked at my watch I was at under 10 pace.  Then around mile 4 I met Ron Yohai. Ron and I did the Colonial 200 together in 2013. We see each other only in local races like this one. I tagged with him for a few miles. He had good pace, so I was also clocking the same pace (which was under 10). 

The only time I was walking was at the SAGs while drinking water, otherwise I was keeping a good pace. At the mile 10 SAG I took 30 secs walk rest, just to relax my body.  I was confident at the hill, even though I was tired by the time reached the top. As soon as I was about to walk, I saw Coach Blair. So I kept running. Jen Mott and other people were there for the support too. By the time I was completing mile 12, I had good chance of getting my first sub 2:10 time. I increased my pace. I passed our team meeting point more people cheered. As I turned I saw the finish line and more cheering. I increased my pace more as much as I could. Chris White ran with me and encouraged. As I crossed the finish line I could see the clock on top which was under 2:10. Neha was there at the finish line to give me the medal. 'I got my PR' I said and hugged her tightly.
Just crossed the finish line

Neha with the medals


















I got 2:08:06 PR which was 4 min 13 secs better than Lynchburg. For third year in a row these two races proved to be my best races. I hope to continue this trend. 

Ranjan, Neha and I after the race




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