I had my last long run of this cycle scheduled, a 17 miler. Again, I searched for a half marathon that I could extend. The New Braunfels' event was great because it's only 30 minutes from San Antonio, so I could convince my wife it was a "family trip."
Still trying to keep my weight down, I did 7 miles Friday morning before leaving. Then Friday night, I was able get the whole family to do the San Antonio "Dia De Los Muertos" 8k night run. Five miles, mostly in the dark, around the roads, trails, and parks surrounding the S.A. Zoo with 900 runners dressed as skeletons, witches, axe-murders, and a variety of other costumes, including a great looking Jellyfish (see pic).
Both my girls set distance records, the full five miles (no walking). After a late dinner, we turned off the hotel room lights at 11:30. I woke at 4:45 a.m. and was on the road 20 minutes later.
This was a long run, and the course wasn't exactly made for speed. The race website read, "There are rolling hills the first 3 miles, which means you hit those on the last 3 miles, too. New Braunfels is in the Texas hill country, so there are some hills! Train accordingly." I planned to run a 1:33-1:35.
However, when I arrived and stepped out of the car, the weather was perfect, dry and a crisp 40 degrees. I strapped on my race shoes, beannie, arm warmers, and gloves, and decided to make an honest effort.
At the 7:00 gun, it was still quite dark. For the first four miles, I could feel the elevation changes in my legs and stride, but really couldn't see the climbs as visibility was about 20 feet. Nothing too bad, long moderate inclines, and three hills that took some effort, but nothing like humping it over the Harbor Bridge.
I reached the halfway turn-around in 45:40, and in 9th position. At that point I figured I would lose 30 secs to a minute on the back side and finish in 1:31-1:32. However, I had forgotten one significant aspect of an out-and-back course. You begin to pass the hundreds of runners headed in the opposite direction.
No matter how bad you feel, you have to at least give the appearance you're doing O.K, and hide the fact that you're actually about to start crying. By mile nine, another runner and I broke away and were fighting for the 5th overall position. For the next three miles, I would close the gap to 15 yards, then he would stride to widen it back to 25. With a mile remaining, I knew I wasn't going to catch him.
I looked at my watch for only the second time of the race. I was on a 1:30:15 pace. The course was USTA certified, and I knew a sub 1:30 half marathon guarantees entry into the New York Marathon. I went into a full stride, pulled along by the crowd support the last 400 yards.
I crossed the finish in a new PR of 1:29:27, placing 6th overall and 2nd in my division. I drank a bottled water, the first I had the whole race. I then headed back out on the course at an easy 8:00 min/mile pace to get my full 17-mile long run logged.
"Dia De Los Muertos" 8k Night Run
I told the girls to focus on the distance,
and ignore time, "...but I do expect you
to beat the Jellyfish."
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