[Fortunate One]

<p>Des Moines Half Marathon</p>
<p>Oct. 17, 2010</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When I got into runing a few years back, I heard that one could expect 5 years or so of PRs.  I didn't know if this rule of thumb worked for codgers like me (late 50's when I started).  Today was an attempt to find out.  My PR in a Half (1:43:30) was a year and a half ago at the Drake Relays.  Last year, I tried to PR at the Des Moines Half but came up about 2 min short.  The course was less hilly than my PR course, so I was irked. Today I again sought a PR at DM so I knew I would have to race this one.  The weather was great: low humidity, temp in the mid 40's to start.  Pre-race preparation went well and included a long run of 26.2 M two weeks before.  A mild cold wouldn't slow me down too much, I thought.  I also thought I might medal if I ran close to a PR, based on previous years' results.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The race went well for me until about Mile 10.  After a couple of 8-M miles to get in the groove, I was planning to hit 7:50 splits, which I knew would be closer to 7:41 on my Garmin.  Here are the Garmin splits and final time (I remembered to hit the button!).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration:underline;">M Split AHR</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">1 7:51 148 with some erroneously high readings (poor electrical contact)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">2 7:53 137</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">3 7:49 141</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">4 7:43 145</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">5 7:35 148</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">6 7:44 149</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">7 7:46 149</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">8 7:49 149</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">9 7:45 151</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">10 7:53151 max HR 158</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">11 8:06150 slight uphill</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">12 8:24149 hill</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">13 8:05 151</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">.17 7:49 154 max HR 156</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">1:43:29.39</span></span></p>
<p> 6/38 AG</p>
<p>411/3914 OA</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">Great, you say.  A PR! Unfortunately, the unofficial results had me with a 1:43:30.  Don't they know how to round? Maybe this will change before they get the web site results up.  Even if it doesn't, it was a good day.  Obviously, I've still got some learning to do about how to really race.  Oh, and a few of those durn 55-59 guys must have moved up to 60-64, because I was 4th in my AG last year.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">ETA: placement info and to confirm that the official time was 1:43:30</span></span></p>

 

[Simon]

<p>A fine run FO, well done!  Sorry you seem to have expected more.</p>
<p>I started running at 55, and have just passed 4 years. I have run a few halves around 1:43, and set a PB at 1:37:22. This was a fast course, perfect, cold weather, perfect pacing, use of a Pfitz marathon training program(me) and running my brains out. I don`t expect to equal that effort again, but I am interested to learn what you have tried to continue improving.</p>
<p>Simon.</p>

 

[Sans Souci]

<p>I think you could blow that PR out of the water if you trained for *a* HM.  To do this well two weeks after a marathon is pretty darn great, I'd say, FO.  Kinda risky too, but I'm a wuss that way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Don't listen to all that hooey about 5 years of PRs.  If you believe it, it will happen.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Congratulations!</p>

 

[JJJessee]

<p>I agree with, Souci.</p>
<p>Great running, numbers be damned.</p>
<p>jjj</p>

 

[Opie]

<p>There are worse things in life than a PR tie!  Great racing.  I'm especially impressed with your HR numbers.  Does it ever get in the 160's?</p>

 

[Spareribs]

<p>No matter what shape you are in, the odds are that a Half will be difficult after running a full just two weeks before, so you really ran a superb race. Well done FO.  Spareribs</p>

 

[Fortunate One]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Opie</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70689/des-moines-half-rr#post_1954964"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>There are worse things in life than a PR tie!  Great racing.  I'm especially impressed with your HR numbers.  Does it ever get in the 160's?</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
Opie, I'll see low 160's in the last mile of a 5K, high 160's in the final sprint.  I think my max is 174 bpm.</p>

 

[Labduck]

<p>This was two weeks after a marathon!?  Well done I say.  I can barely walk for a week after a HM.  This was a great effort!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The sad part about race timing is they always round up.  If you ran 1:43:29:01, they would round it to 1:43:30.  My best 100 meter time in college was 10.71.  Since it wasn't full electronic timing, I have to claim my PR as 10.8.  Sigh.</p>