Joined
·
1,271 Posts
Well this is my 3rd HM and 1st repeat of this one. This year's race had much better weather than last(45 and sunny vs 45 windy and rainy), and despite it not hosting the RRCA HM State Championship (they did last year) there were 505 runners (over 100 more than last year).<br><br>
The course in H'ville is a double out and back with a hill and some long gentle slopes. The course travels nearly exclusively through residential streets w/ nearly 4M on the Aldridge Creek Greenway. The course had 3 water stops (w/ powerade) that you passed twice.<br><br>
I had signed up for this race initially just as an afterthought in training for the Rocket City Marathon in 4 weeks. A few days before the race I had decided to give a PR effort for 1:50 (8:20 pace). This would be a 7 min PR over the Mercedes HM, a much tougher course.<br><br>
The race was hosted by Hillwood Baptist Church, and parking direction was given by some Army soldiers who did a admirable job getting 100s of cars into a space not designed for that many vehicles (directing us to the grass yard). There were no problems finding adequate water/gatorade or port-o-johns (regular Restrooms were also available inside I assume) prerace.<br><br>
For a change this race actually had a decent PA to give race announcements over. There was a brief prayer and recognition for Vets.<br><br>
How did I do? Well I started off well but by mile 4 I had to keep getting myself to speed up as I would start slipping slower occasionally. My self-abuse paid off w/ a PR of 1:52:38. I did talk a lil' smack to a Bama fan as I passed him, telling Him if I finish before him the Bulldogs win that day (Miss State was playing Bama later that day).While a lil' bit slower than my goal it was a nearly 5 min PR for a distance I hadn't specifically trained for. I'll take it<br>
22 of 39 AG<br>
202 of 505 overall<br><br>
There were no pics taken commercially on the course but Here's one of me and the DDs afterwards.<br><br><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/1989792725_6bed256a60.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Only gripe I've got is the lack of bling factor to the medal. It was tiny. Yes, I'm wearing it in the pic.
The course in H'ville is a double out and back with a hill and some long gentle slopes. The course travels nearly exclusively through residential streets w/ nearly 4M on the Aldridge Creek Greenway. The course had 3 water stops (w/ powerade) that you passed twice.<br><br>
I had signed up for this race initially just as an afterthought in training for the Rocket City Marathon in 4 weeks. A few days before the race I had decided to give a PR effort for 1:50 (8:20 pace). This would be a 7 min PR over the Mercedes HM, a much tougher course.<br><br>
The race was hosted by Hillwood Baptist Church, and parking direction was given by some Army soldiers who did a admirable job getting 100s of cars into a space not designed for that many vehicles (directing us to the grass yard). There were no problems finding adequate water/gatorade or port-o-johns (regular Restrooms were also available inside I assume) prerace.<br><br>
For a change this race actually had a decent PA to give race announcements over. There was a brief prayer and recognition for Vets.<br><br>
How did I do? Well I started off well but by mile 4 I had to keep getting myself to speed up as I would start slipping slower occasionally. My self-abuse paid off w/ a PR of 1:52:38. I did talk a lil' smack to a Bama fan as I passed him, telling Him if I finish before him the Bulldogs win that day (Miss State was playing Bama later that day).While a lil' bit slower than my goal it was a nearly 5 min PR for a distance I hadn't specifically trained for. I'll take it<br>
22 of 39 AG<br>
202 of 505 overall<br><br>
There were no pics taken commercially on the course but Here's one of me and the DDs afterwards.<br><br><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/1989792725_6bed256a60.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Only gripe I've got is the lack of bling factor to the medal. It was tiny. Yes, I'm wearing it in the pic.
