Race #193
Half Marathon #70
2022 Race #1
2022 Half Marathon #1
South Carolina Half Marathon #51
Greenville Half Marathon #8
I need to start this recap with a small disclaimer. For the first time since I started writing race recaps, I did not sit down on the day of or the day after to write my recap of this race or the next recap to come. I found myself still fully mired in the writing malaise I have found myself recently. (well…over the past year and a half actually) Thus, I have forgotten some of the details that I would have otherwise included in this recap.
Back to the pre-race set up. I ran this race solo, primarily because I had neglected to register in a timely manner, mistakenly thinking that I had already registered. Thus, the price had rise to the highest, last minute tier that I did not want to make Mom pay. Additionally, since this was a point to point course, I did not want to obligate Ellis to getting up early to chauffeur us around. The logistics worked better to have me run this solo with Mom dropping me off at the start before heading downtown to get her own (shorter) run in.
Since I ran this one solo, I decided to attempt to make it a workout, something that I know I’m capable of but still approached with trepidation. this workout consisted of three, 3 mile intervals at marathon pace sandwiched between two miles easy to start and two miles easy to finish. I made only one change to the workout by changing the rest intervals to walk intervals.
Prior to starting the race, I had my doubts which I need to permanently banish. I told myself that I would give it my best shot and that I would reap training benefits regardless.
We arrived to the start in Travelers Rest with just a handful of minutes to spare so after a pre-race picture, Mom headed back to her car and I prepared to start.
One of the most difficult challenges at the start of a race is to refrain from going out too fast. My race/workout plan helped best this challenge easily. The first couple miles have some rolling hills including some of the only significant uphills in this net decline race, with an out and back past downtown Travelers Rest. Even as people passed me, a large number on the downhill into the cemetery, I kept reminding myself to take it easy.
Mile 1 – 8:25
Mile 2 – 8:56
After completing the second mile, I shifted gears and increased my pace by about 30 seconds per mile. This happened to coincide with an uphill as we approached where the course connected/merged with the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It always feels good to pass people on an uphill, especially when you feel strong at the same time.
Soon into this first interval, I mentally rolled my eyes at my earlier doubts about my ability to hold an 8:30 pace. In fact, most of my pace monitoring efforts went towards reining in my pace rather than straining to achieve it. I passed a few people during this interval but not as many as I had hoped for. I hadn’t increased my pace that much.
My Garmin started to differ with the marked distances, although not significantly, so I had fun sorting through the lap data I created by manually lapping when the two diverged since I still had auto lap on.
Mile 3 – 8:28
Mile 4 – 8:32
Mile 5 – 8:32
The highly competitive side of me did not want to slow to a walk for the recovery interval, especially since so many people passed me. However, I reined in my competitive side and used these walk breaks to eat my chews. I still have to decide whether I want to switch to gels for the marathon or incorporate short walk breaks since running and chewing at the same time presents additional difficulties.
The second three mile interval also served as a massive confidence boost. I felt great and contemplated finishing the last two miles at marathon pace as well.
Here’s where the distance of time kicks in since I remember little else of that interval save for a whisper of a thought in the last mile (of the interval) about my legs starting to feel the work. Even with that though, I do remember wanting even less to slow to a walk for the recovering interval.
Mile 6 – 9:09
Mile 7 – 8:27
Mile 8 – 8:32
When I started running after the second recovery interval, my legs, almost immediately felt a bit of fatigue. I did not have difficulty maintaining the pace although I reflected ruefully on my overly optimistic thoughts and spent most of that interval looking forward to its end which would bring a walk break followed by a final 2 easy miles.
That proved excellent motivation to keep up the effort needed as my legs felt increasingly tired but still capable, a difficult feeling to put into words.
Mile 9 – 9:23
Mile 10 – 8:17
Mile 11 – 8:29
In stark contrast to the previous recovery interval, I welcomed the last one. I had reached the home stretch and had a simple, easy two miles left from that point. That appreciation lasted through that second to last mile, my slowest mile of the race.
Even though my legs communicated quite clearly to my brain that they felt the work I had put them through, the competitive side of me still wanted to increase the pace. So, rather than actually concentrate on running faster, I simply removed the restraint of “keeping it easy,” gradually running faster until I reached the final turn with less than a tenth of a mile to go when I accelerated into a near sprint.
Something that baffles me about the end of races is spectators’ astonishment upon seeing a fast finish. That sort of tactic comes almost second nature to me. If I spectated a race, I would expect to see it. Oh well.
Mile 12 – 9:44
Mile 13 – 8:41
Overall – 1:55:28
I finished the race feeling quite successful in the well-executed work out. Do I want to run faster and get back closer to my PR times? Definitely. Might have to make a goal of it some time soon.
