I've written before that this is a great event for many reasons, the two best being it brings out the top local runners, and the course is flat and has the potential to be fast. Well, it can be fast if the weather cooperates.
Five days out the forecast was for light north winds and perfect temperatures (mid 40s). But the night before, the cold front had yet to arrive and it was still warm (mid 60s at midnight). About 4:00 a.m., I heard the cool-front blowing through. The wind was strong and the gusts howled around the house. I knew the wind would be a problem, but at least it would cool down a little.
As we queued for the 7:00 a.m. gun, it was still a little warm (high 50s), but directly in the windchill it was a little cold. The sky was quite overcast. I wore a tank top, light arm warmers, and a light beanie. The wind was really blowing with flags flapping and trees swaying. My original goal was to run a PR in 1:28 or better, but now with the weather not optimal, I just didn't know. Well as Susan would say, it was time to shut-up and run.
The gun fired and we were off. Over the first mile I felt the strong wind push at my back; my pace seemed fast. However, all I could really think was, "This is going to be a nightmare to run back against!"
At the beginning of mile three the course bent to the southeast and the wind was just about perpendicular as it blew from the northeast. The push was so strong I felt myself leaning about 5 degrees to the left just to fight the resistance. A few times a strong gust literally moved me right a few inches. Though mainly perpendicular, the wind at times also seemed to push a little from behind or a little from the front as the course slightly turned east or west. Again, all I could really think was, "How am I going to run back against this?"
At mile four I was getting hot and pulled my arm warmers to my wrist, and tucked my beanie in my shorts. About a half mile from the midpoint turnaround I had yet to look at my watch. I had paced myself just on stride / leg turnover but felt I would probably hit the midpoint in 43-44 minutes. When I finally turned to head back, my watch read 45:15.
I was really disappointed. I was also dreading the return and assumed I would lose a good five minutes on the up-wind leg. However, as I started back the wind didn't seem as bad as I feared. Again it was mostly perpendicular and actually felt like it was a bit behind me. I guess the wind was more from the east than northeast in the first leg and that's why I was a minute or two behind pace.
For the next two miles I held my pace as we were running northwest; I believed that I might finish in 1:30 or so. However, about mile 10 the course began to bend back directly north and the wind resistance increased. With about a mile and half to go, we turned due north and I slowed significantly fighting to run directly into the wind.
With half a mile remaining, I assumed I could still be on a 1:30-1:31 pace and gave it everything I had. With 30 yards remaining, I saw the finish clock at 1:31:50. I pushed hard to go sub 1:32, but came up just short.
I crossed the finish in 1:32:01 placing 1st in my division and 12th overall out of 149 half marathon finishers, and 18th out of 198 counting the 49 relay teams.
Well, I'm ambivalent about the results. I was quite sure pre-race I would at least go sub 1:30. I was quite disappointed with my 1:32. But after giving it some thought, the weather probably cost me a good 10 seconds a mile. Also, I hadn't tapered at all; the previous week I log a 20 miler, a 10 mile hill workout, and lots and lots and lots of general miles.
So I'm forgetting about this one and staying with the delusion I'm still able to go sub 3:00 in Kingwood in three weeks. I'll need to lose 3-4 pounds and get in a good taper, but it's still possible if not probable.
1st in my division, Giancarlo 3rd
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