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<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Let's see how this report goes... it's my first...</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">It's been a goal, since my first HM back in the Fall of 2006, to run sub 1:30. Not sure why but it seemed like a nice time to shoot for. This was my 4th attempt. My PR of 1:33:01 had come in this very race last year. I ran that race well and finished very strong w/ a negative split but just didn’t have the miles on my legs to get the job done. It was clear that I needed to change my training so I ramped up to 40 miles per week trying to maintain a good mix of easy and hard runs. Not so easy in Chicago this time of year…</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">We’d decided to travel mid-week but a massive snowstorm in Chicago made for a long travel day. Thankfully our flight was not cancelled but due to delays we didn’t get to bed until 4am. We managed to recover over the next couple of days but I was feeling less than fresh on easy runs. My legs were heavy and my confidence for a good race was ebbing.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Race day…we get the race site and park up with ~ 30 minutes to the gun. My nerves start to calm. The number of runners had grown since last year due to the addition of a 5k. Now there was a 5k, 10k and HM starting together… pacing was going to be a challenge early on as was getting a last minute potty break. Only #1 so I was in good shape.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">It was in the low 50s with bright sunshine for the 8 am start. I had decided to wear a singlet and a pair of light gloves. That was a very good decision as it warmed up. Others didn’t make such a good call…long pants etc... After a few accelerations (nothing to quick) I focused on my strategy to run the race like I had last year; ease out of the blocks, sip a PowerBar Gel (diluted in water) from mile 6 to 10, and get a negative split. Just do it faster...</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I figured 1:30 was my "soft" goal and 1:28 would be a stretch. Getting close to the McMillan estimated time of 1:27.13, based on my last 5k, would be perfection.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">So the gun goes off, I’m being conservative with my pace… I look at my watch… I’m a running 6:15 mile. Crap! I ease up and see a guy I’d chatted with at the start line. He’s running sub 1:30 too. I decide to stick with him.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">We hit Mile 1 in 6:34. Oh crap, still way too fast. Those darn 5k runners…</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 2 arrives…6:44. Ok that’s more like it. At this point we pass by the start line (bit of a loop to start out), I see DW, and head for the highway… yep, were running on the highway. The 5 k runners turnaround shortly after getting on the road.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Mile 3: 7:31. What the &%#*! We are passing runners now but the wind is in our face.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 4: 6:52. Ticking along but not feeling that great. Hmmm… 1:30 is a soft goal !? The 10k turnaround goes by and a few of the pack ahead peel off. Now the course exits the highway, though a toll booth (toll included in race fee) and hits a windy bike path.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 5: 5:57. What the &%#*! OK, the last few mile markers must be off. At this point my running buddy starts to pull ahead. I’m holding steady. We exit the bike path and hit the highway again, this time to cross a bridge. It was brutal - steep and windy - the guy I was running with drops me like a stone. Note to self - more hill work.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 6: 6:57. Not as bad as I thought - now I simply try to kept pace with the pack ahead. First sip of gel.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 7: 6:40. Ok, I'm feeling like I’m pushing hard. Now I see the front runners coming back along the route… the turnaround is coming.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 8: 6:50. Starting to get in a rhythm and passing folks.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 9: 6:51. OK. Just keep them wheels moving because the bridge is coming…</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 10: 6:51. I crest the bridge and start to feel real good. Ok, time to finish the gel and put the hammer down.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 11: 6:31. I overtake the OA Woman, now I’m on my own. Then we return to the highway (toll booth again) and I see some folks ahead. I have a target.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mile 12: 6:30. OK, this is hard. Faster, faster I’m catching the guy ahead of me. We exit the highway and I’m on his heals</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Mile 13: Crap, I forgot to hit the lap button as I try to kick. Where’s my darn kick!!</span></span><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Finish: I see the clock. Must… run… faster… must… not… puke… darn! It rolled over to 1:28… I see DW jumping up and down</span> <span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;">J <span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">My last split came to 7:11, so I slowed a little on that last mile.</span></span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">My unofficial time was 1:28:05 (+/- a second or two); an average pace of ~6:44 mpm. I’m sure I'd have been faster on a flat course.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Mildly funny story: I chatted to the guy I’d run the first 5 miles with afterwards and it turns out he ran the race last year and I passed him in the final stretch... he finished in a smokin' hot time of 1:26:40... Pay back I guess…</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Now to rest up, as my legs are a “little” tired, and contemplate my next goal.</span></span><br>
