Mistletoe Half Marathon PR RR

perchcreek · Dec 2, 2007

Mistletoe Half Marathon Winston-Salem, NC Short version: PR (27 secs) Fastest Race ever 1:39:38 (broke 1:40) 7:36 pace 6/35 AG (M50-54) 96/602 OA (top 15%) New Age Graded Ranking 69.6% This is my favorite race. The distance, the course, the location, the organization, the mile markers… etc.. The Twin City Track Club along with The YMCA hold this race along with a 5K. It starts and finishes at the Y so you can stay warm until start and take a shower (free for runners) right after the race! The course started with a downhill then a rolling up hill before a steady climb for a couple miles. Then it is rolling going through neighborhoods, then Wake Forest Campus followed by a park with some steep hills, another neighborhood, more WF and back through the park and out to neighborhoods and down to the Y. The rolling terrain makes for a very nice run. The day before the race I had to go on a one night business trip and took my running clothes including my shoes with orthotics and the Garmin in a carry-on luggage. The plane was so small I had to wing check it. You know, when you give it to them at plane side and they give it back when you get off the plane. Well, they managed to lose it (US Air in Philly!). So I thought a lot about the prospect of running in my old shoes with 450 miles and no orthotics. At 11:30 the night before the race, it was delivered to our house! Whew! Got up at 5 am and headed for the 1.5 hr drive about 5:30. Got there early enoughj to park right by the finish line.. sweet! After a couple mile warm-up, I stripped to a tee and shorts in the balmy 35F and ran up to the start only to find few people there.. the start was 8:15 not 8:00. More running to keep warm for 15 min (brr). Next time I got to the start line it was packed (body warmth!) with 600 runners. After a soulful powerful voice, but slo-mo rendition of theNational Anthem, we were off with the gun.. pow! I had some goals for this one: 1. sub 1:40 (last year I was happy with 1:40:04, but not this year!) 2. ideal 1:39:00 (7:30 pace) to give me 70% Age Grade 3. Finish in the top 100 (this is my 4thyear in a row running this race and I got closer each time) I ran this race by feel. I turned the HR display off on the Garmin so I could record but not see it. I started too fast, but maintained a constant level of discomfort and the pace followed my fatigue. Splits: 
Mile 1 - 7:36 [AHR 166] (first part downhill and then a good climb) 
Mile 2 – 7:22 [173] (lots of climbing but some good rollers in second half)—too fast! Mile 3 – 7:23 [173] (rolling)—too fast but maybe I CAN maintain this Mile 4 - 7:22 [172] (more downhills) 
Mile 5 - 7:36 [171] (first half uphill second half downhill) 
Mile 6 - 7:22 [169] (mostly a nice downhill winding through the woods in a park ) (looks like a 10K PR.. oops, can we quit now?) 
Mile 7 - 7:52 [171] (very long wearing uphill through a neighborhood- tiring.. I was caught by a white haired guy who I passed at mile 2.. I couldn’t keep up Mile 8 - 7:38 [172](some down then up and up to Wake Forest University at the top of the hill) (mile 8 was 1:00:14 .. a PBJ Special!! Kewl) 
Mile 9 - 7:28 [170] (down into the park again) 
Mile 10 – 8:02 [173] (up out of the park and slowed to a crawl (almost literally) on a really steep hill but nobody passed still on target for the sun 1:40!) 
Mile 11 - 7:47 [172] (last major hill--- I really wanted to pull over to the side and go to sleep!- this HURTS!) 
Mile 12 - 7:26 [173] (down hill finally!) Mile 13.1 – 7:50 [171] (the last 1.1 were tough, little power due to the fast first half) There is a clock 0.2 miles before the finish and it indicated I was still on track for a sub 1:40 so I kept pushing. There was a young woman just ahead of me and as we came to the finish, I held right behind her rather than sprint to the finish and pass by her at the last second because I could see sub 1:40 was in the bag! (oh, and that would not be polite) I crossed at 1:39:38 and was very happy to have a new PR and sub 1:40. I was really happy for it to be finished. I could relate to Forrest Gump.. “I’m tired, I think I’ll go home now”. I’ thrilled with 6th AG out of 35 in this competitive field. Oh, I ran into that white haired guy at the finish. He said, I sure took a long time to catch up to you… I guess that’s a complement. He finished 1:37:XX. A great feast after with smoothies, pizza, bananas, Krispy Creme Donuts (I only had 2). All in all a great day, but tiring. I left nothing on that course! Thanks for reading! Steve

Nettie · Dec 2, 2007

Wow Steve, that was quite a race report! Congrats on meeting your goals!

Runnin-from-the-Law · Dec 2, 2007

Great race! Congrats!

missy1102 · Dec 2, 2007

steve, nice race! what a way to end the year.. congrats on an amazing effort!

Sans Souci · Dec 3, 2007

While it doesn't feel like autumn here today, I know it is, and this must be the Autumn of Perchcreek. Another beaut, Steve. Yeah, you should be thrilled. I am for you! 
I'd say forget the politeness (betcha Econo would too). All's fair in a race, and I'd much rather someone give me a challenge then cede the finish line (even if it is a fine gesture). 
So next time ... NO MORE Mr. Nice Guy. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

jebba · Dec 3, 2007

That is an awesome report. I am impressed by the steady HR without looking at it.

millbot · Dec 3, 2007

Fine racing there, perch! Congratulations on the PR, the strong age graded performance, and the high AG placing. It sounds like you did everything right. Way to go. 
I agree with SS that you can forgo the politeness at the finish. You can always say something nice to your victim after the race. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

Pink · Dec 3, 2007

Perch - Great race! Sub 1:40 - CONGRATULATIONS!!! This was a great race report. 
I would also have to agree, forget the politeness. Run the finish as hard as you want and if you pass someone, male OR female, so be it! 
Congrats again on a well run race!!!!!!!!!!!

Jill · Dec 3, 2007

Excellent race! Congratulations on your PR and reaching your goals.

Johnny · Dec 4, 2007

Splendid race Perch, congrats on your high AG and overall placement, and your new PR. Sounds like you really had to tough it out and the end.

gin79 · Dec 4, 2007

Aewsome!! Your splits are impressive! Great report and great race! And, oh yeah, pass anyone and everyone at the end!

FlyingFinn · Dec 4, 2007

Fantastic fastest race ever, Perch. And awesome that you broke 1:40! Way to go.

JohnnyB · Dec 5, 2007

Looks like you nailed it right on a tough course. I was really drained on the last two miles of my HM in Septemeber and your RR brought back memories. Nice job!

Mistletoe Half Marathon PR RR

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