For those of you who have been following this blog (all two or three of you), you know that all my runs during the year have been in preparation for the Modesto Half Marathon. This was the first half marathon I ever ran back in 2012, and my goal was to significantly improve on that time (2:55).
My goal for this year was somewhere in the 2:10-2:15 range. To recap some of the bigger events in my training towards this, I ran a 2:11 during a training run (encouraging) and then ran a 2:23 in a race a few weeks ago (discouraging, though it was pouring rain the whole time). As a result, I wasn't sure where exactly I was going to land. I was hoping to meet my goal, but I had my lingering doubts.
In spite of the doubts, I woke up with a sense of determination. I geared up (I didn't have my Fleet Feet kit yet, so I rocked my Dusty Bottoms gear) and headed into Downtown Modesto with Sarah. I met up with my friend Chad, who decided to run his first half as part of his Ironman training. Chad is quite a bit faster than me, so I thought maybe he could drag me along to a good time,
My goal for this year was somewhere in the 2:10-2:15 range. To recap some of the bigger events in my training towards this, I ran a 2:11 during a training run (encouraging) and then ran a 2:23 in a race a few weeks ago (discouraging, though it was pouring rain the whole time). As a result, I wasn't sure where exactly I was going to land. I was hoping to meet my goal, but I had my lingering doubts.
In spite of the doubts, I woke up with a sense of determination. I geared up (I didn't have my Fleet Feet kit yet, so I rocked my Dusty Bottoms gear) and headed into Downtown Modesto with Sarah. I met up with my friend Chad, who decided to run his first half as part of his Ironman training. Chad is quite a bit faster than me, so I thought maybe he could drag me along to a good time,
In spite of my optimism, the race started out on a bad note - the lines at the bathrooms were too long and I had to start the race while really having to pee. About 50 yards into the race, I bailed out of the side to use the porta potty, which put me at a deficit right at the beginning. It also ended up being the last I saw of Chad. So much for that plan. (He ended up running a 1:40, which is a great time, so good for him!)
The first couple of miles were not all that great (as the first couple of miles tend not to be) and I felt like I was dragging myself along. Ultimately, I found my groove by the time we hit "Mt. Modesto" (a freeway overpass, which shows how flat the race is) about four miles into the race. After that, it was all flat country roads where I started to hit my stride.
The first couple of miles were not all that great (as the first couple of miles tend not to be) and I felt like I was dragging myself along. Ultimately, I found my groove by the time we hit "Mt. Modesto" (a freeway overpass, which shows how flat the race is) about four miles into the race. After that, it was all flat country roads where I started to hit my stride.
Eventually I realized that the first couple of miles may not have felt great because I was going a little quicker than I expected. By the time I settled in, I realized I was consistently hitting a pace that was a little under 10 minutes per mile, which was great, and my plan was to just keep that up.
When I started the turnaround at mile 7ish, I caught up with Hector, a fellow Dusty Bottom (is this what we are calling ourselves?), who committed himself to running the rest of the way with me. That ended up being really good, as it helped me not only maintain my pace, but actually pick it up just a little bit.
When I started the turnaround at mile 7ish, I caught up with Hector, a fellow Dusty Bottom (is this what we are calling ourselves?), who committed himself to running the rest of the way with me. That ended up being really good, as it helped me not only maintain my pace, but actually pick it up just a little bit.
I started getting more and more excited as I got closer to the finish. I was keeping up my pace and starting to have visions of finishing under 2:10. I did start to tire a little as we got to mile 12, but I was able to keep the resulting walk breaks short and to a minimum. Hector was also a really good encouragement - can't thank him enough!
Before I knew it, we were rounding the final bend, surging to the finish, and it was done!
Before I knew it, we were rounding the final bend, surging to the finish, and it was done!
The time on the clock read 2:10:08, but because I started towards the back of the pack and took a while to cross the start line, my actual time ended up being 2:08:29!
Normally whenever I do something that should be considered a success, I start the barrage of self criticisms - how there were ways I could have improved, how I didn't do as well as others, and how it was ultimately a failure. The nice thing about this race was that didn't happen. I ended up finishing under what I had prepared as a best case scenario, and on top of that, I took 47 minutes (almost 3:30 per mile) off my time from 2012; as a result, I just felt proud and satisfied.
Normally whenever I do something that should be considered a success, I start the barrage of self criticisms - how there were ways I could have improved, how I didn't do as well as others, and how it was ultimately a failure. The nice thing about this race was that didn't happen. I ended up finishing under what I had prepared as a best case scenario, and on top of that, I took 47 minutes (almost 3:30 per mile) off my time from 2012; as a result, I just felt proud and satisfied.
On top of all the accomplishment stuff, this was a fun race, The crowd is energetic and supportive, I get to see a lot of friends, and the scenery is nice (in a nostalgic kind of way).
Next year: under 2 hours. You heard it here first.
Next year: under 2 hours. You heard it here first.