Okay, I decided to re-post this as a race, since it technically was, although I intended to run it only as a regular training run. I was supposed to run 13 miles on Saturday as part of my half marathon training program, but bumped it to Monday to take in this Grimsby (near Niagara Falls) Half Marathon. It's rare to have a race in Ontario on Monday (my day off), and this fell on a Statuatory Holiday - Family Day. So, I made the 5 hour drive to do this.
The race started at 9am. It was COLD. There were about 400 runners in the 3 events - the kid's 3km, the 10km, and the Half. There were 230 runners in the Half. It was very well organized, as part of the Hamilton runner's series of runs. This area takes in a population of several million people (Toronto is less than an hour away), so even a mid-February race draws an enthusiastic crowd of runners and supporters.
Although cold (well below zero), it was sunny. I was glad for my sunglasses. Also for the various layers I wore. I intended to take off my outer jacket as I ran, but ended up finishing in it - very glad also for my big mitts and ear muffs.
I planned on running this at my training pace of 8:36. My average pace ended up being 8:05, so a lot faster than planned. More on that in a bit.
Since for me, this was merely a long run training run, I was relaxed thoughout. I never felt like I was pushing it too hard, and I finished strong and was not winded or even overly tired. Although my pace was a half minute/mile faster than planned, it was comfortable, and my splits were fairly even. They were:
8:14, 7:56, 8:00, 8:06, 8:07, 7:52, 8:06, 8:05, 8:07, 8:08, 8:02, 8:03 and 7:52. So, all within 22 seconds; excluding the 1st mile, all within 16 seconds.
The course was mostly flat, but certainly a lot more hillier than the valley where I train. I made a point of drinking gatoraide at every aid station, mostly as an experiment. I've noticed in all my races that I do not tolerate carbs well. My stomach does somersaults. This was no different. I'm going to experiment with chews or jelly beans, because I have to solve this problem before my marathon in the Fall.
The race was mostly on pavement, with a few sections that were snow and/or ice covered, and one 200 meter portion that was a frozen over horse trail through an apple orchard. No complaints about any of this - I appreciated the opportunity to run outside and to experience race conditions at the same time.
Oh, one more note ... my time of 1:45:58 was done at a relaxed and comfortable pace. I never really felt like I was pushing it. However, just 5 or so years ago, this would have been a PR for me. So, not bad for an old man!
Anyway, that's it in a nutshell, except that after the race, after I showered and changed, I drove the marathon route that I plan to run in November. It was good for me to see this so that I can visualize it during my training. It's not as flat as I had thought, and knowing that will be helpful to me in my training.
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