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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Just crossed the finish line |
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| Neha with the medals |
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| Ranjan, Neha and I after the race |
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