<p>Nice job Doug! Congrats to you and DW!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Didn't know there was a HM at Hampton Beach - what is the course like?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Didn't know there was a HM at Hampton Beach - what is the course like?</p>
RR: Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon
<p>Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon</p>
<p>October 3, 2010</p>
<p>Hampton Beach, NH</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Results: 2:19:55, ~10:40/mi, 1063/1312 OA, 137/147 M40-49</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was my first half-marathon and my third race in the last four weekends. It's been hard to train for the distance given my other races (shorter) and my focus on those. It's also just tough getting in the many long runs when they start to take two hours. My longest distance before the race was a 10.2mi run the Monday before. I had a handful of 8+mi runs, including a 8.6mi run at Reach The Beach. Given that, I decided I was not going to try to run the whole thing straight through but that a run/walk plan was going to suit me much better. I went with 1min walking, 10min running and tested it out for my 10.2mi run where it worked splendidly helping me to take over 1min/mi off my previous best for that distance. So, I had a plan. I told DW about it (she was also running in the same race also her first HM) and she liked the plan too and decided it was for her as well. It just made it seem really doable, more enjoyable and I knew I would be much faster using this method.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Race morning we got up and it was 38F. The forecast was for 45F at the start and 55F by the finish. Perfect! We let the kids stay in their PJs and brought them over to our neighbor's house. We left a bit later than we wanted and ended up getting stuck in traffic trying to find a spot to park at Hampton Beach. If you've ever been to Hampton Beach you know it as a maze of one way streets making it difficult to get from point A to point B. We parked pretty far away from the start and had to hustle down, including a porta-potty stop, to the start line. I think we were there maybe 3 minutes before the pack started moving. We were on our way with high-fives and good luck wishes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The first couple of miles went along the ocean headed north. DW and I ran together. We decided to skip our first walk break at the 11min mark since we weren't even really going yet. We did our first walk break right at 22min just past the 2mi mark. For the next 4mi we did the 1min walk/10min walk routine and I know I was feeling great. Having never done a HM before, I wanted to err on the conservative side, learn what it was all about and enjoy it. I didn't want it to be a death march. DW was feeling great too. We were running 10:45-11:00/mi, including the walk break, which was our target pace. By this time the course took us through some beautiful neighborhoods with everyone out on their lawns, families and kids, cheering everyone on. The community support (with the exception of some impatient drivers) was amazing. Right around 6mi I decided I want to pick up the pace so I said goodbye to DW and went on ahead. I wanted to run a little harder in the 2nd half and see how I responded/felt. I think my next mile was right around 9:45-10:00/mi and I kept pretty much with 10:00/mi for a while. I was still feeling great. I left everyone we'd been running with previously behind me and picked off many runners, especially getting up towards the 9mi mark where people were really dragging. I was feeling very strong and continued with the plan. It was right about then I saw my kids and our neighbors at the North Hampton state beach cheering us on! What a terrific surprise. I stopped and gave everyone high-fives while they were screaming and cheering. All the runners had smiles seeing all the little ones going crazy. We are so lucky to have the best neighbors. I love seeing my kids during a race!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I continued on still feeling strong and passing a lot of people. Right around mile 11 things suddenly got very hard but I was pretty happy having postponed that feeling until only 2mi to go. I felt like I would feel if I'd just swam and then rode a bike <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">. I then took my last walk break and turned up the pain to run it in. My goal from the start was to finish in under 2:23, 11min/mi, and it was pretty clear I would go at least a few minutes under that so my new goal became to go under 2:20. The last half mile was tough trying to give it everything I had and still passing a lot of runners and walkers. I finished strong with my kids and neighbors at the finish to see and eeked in right under 2:20 at 2:19:55, a good 3min ahead of my goal. I gave the kids lots of high-fives and some sweaty hugs and then I stood with my neighbor and filled him in on how it went while we waiting for DW to come into the finish. About 10min later, she came through and we cheered her on. She looked great and said she'd had a really good run too. I was very proud of her. She finished right around 2:30.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>After the race, I went back to the car and got us some warm clothes and walked back to the finish in time to see Thor finish. We talked for a while before DW and I got some beers from the Smuttynose tent and then we talked with him for a while before we left. It was great to see him. We also saw our PCP who was there working the medical tent and a triathlete himself. His wife was doing the marathon as training for a HIM and he was telling us about his upcoming HIM. He's a great guy. We see him at a lot of the local races. By now we were pretty much frozen so we got to the car and headed home. We left just as they brought out some pizza so we grab a slice. It was SO GOOD. I am sure that had everything to do with having just done an HM.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Overall, it was a great day. We had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the whole race, the challenge of my first HM and the longest run I've ever done, running with DW, seeing the kids and neighbors and the fun at the finish afterwords. The race seemed really well organized and the course was just beautiful going along the ocean, through beautiful seaside neighborhoods and then back along the ocean. My first HM experience was a really good one and now I am looking forward to the next one in November. I am really happy to have a break from racing though!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for reading.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Next up: Seacoast Half Marathon, Nov. 14th.</p>
<p>October 3, 2010</p>
<p>Hampton Beach, NH</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Results: 2:19:55, ~10:40/mi, 1063/1312 OA, 137/147 M40-49</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was my first half-marathon and my third race in the last four weekends. It's been hard to train for the distance given my other races (shorter) and my focus on those. It's also just tough getting in the many long runs when they start to take two hours. My longest distance before the race was a 10.2mi run the Monday before. I had a handful of 8+mi runs, including a 8.6mi run at Reach The Beach. Given that, I decided I was not going to try to run the whole thing straight through but that a run/walk plan was going to suit me much better. I went with 1min walking, 10min running and tested it out for my 10.2mi run where it worked splendidly helping me to take over 1min/mi off my previous best for that distance. So, I had a plan. I told DW about it (she was also running in the same race also her first HM) and she liked the plan too and decided it was for her as well. It just made it seem really doable, more enjoyable and I knew I would be much faster using this method.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Race morning we got up and it was 38F. The forecast was for 45F at the start and 55F by the finish. Perfect! We let the kids stay in their PJs and brought them over to our neighbor's house. We left a bit later than we wanted and ended up getting stuck in traffic trying to find a spot to park at Hampton Beach. If you've ever been to Hampton Beach you know it as a maze of one way streets making it difficult to get from point A to point B. We parked pretty far away from the start and had to hustle down, including a porta-potty stop, to the start line. I think we were there maybe 3 minutes before the pack started moving. We were on our way with high-fives and good luck wishes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The first couple of miles went along the ocean headed north. DW and I ran together. We decided to skip our first walk break at the 11min mark since we weren't even really going yet. We did our first walk break right at 22min just past the 2mi mark. For the next 4mi we did the 1min walk/10min walk routine and I know I was feeling great. Having never done a HM before, I wanted to err on the conservative side, learn what it was all about and enjoy it. I didn't want it to be a death march. DW was feeling great too. We were running 10:45-11:00/mi, including the walk break, which was our target pace. By this time the course took us through some beautiful neighborhoods with everyone out on their lawns, families and kids, cheering everyone on. The community support (with the exception of some impatient drivers) was amazing. Right around 6mi I decided I want to pick up the pace so I said goodbye to DW and went on ahead. I wanted to run a little harder in the 2nd half and see how I responded/felt. I think my next mile was right around 9:45-10:00/mi and I kept pretty much with 10:00/mi for a while. I was still feeling great. I left everyone we'd been running with previously behind me and picked off many runners, especially getting up towards the 9mi mark where people were really dragging. I was feeling very strong and continued with the plan. It was right about then I saw my kids and our neighbors at the North Hampton state beach cheering us on! What a terrific surprise. I stopped and gave everyone high-fives while they were screaming and cheering. All the runners had smiles seeing all the little ones going crazy. We are so lucky to have the best neighbors. I love seeing my kids during a race!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I continued on still feeling strong and passing a lot of people. Right around mile 11 things suddenly got very hard but I was pretty happy having postponed that feeling until only 2mi to go. I felt like I would feel if I'd just swam and then rode a bike <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif">. I then took my last walk break and turned up the pain to run it in. My goal from the start was to finish in under 2:23, 11min/mi, and it was pretty clear I would go at least a few minutes under that so my new goal became to go under 2:20. The last half mile was tough trying to give it everything I had and still passing a lot of runners and walkers. I finished strong with my kids and neighbors at the finish to see and eeked in right under 2:20 at 2:19:55, a good 3min ahead of my goal. I gave the kids lots of high-fives and some sweaty hugs and then I stood with my neighbor and filled him in on how it went while we waiting for DW to come into the finish. About 10min later, she came through and we cheered her on. She looked great and said she'd had a really good run too. I was very proud of her. She finished right around 2:30.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>After the race, I went back to the car and got us some warm clothes and walked back to the finish in time to see Thor finish. We talked for a while before DW and I got some beers from the Smuttynose tent and then we talked with him for a while before we left. It was great to see him. We also saw our PCP who was there working the medical tent and a triathlete himself. His wife was doing the marathon as training for a HIM and he was telling us about his upcoming HIM. He's a great guy. We see him at a lot of the local races. By now we were pretty much frozen so we got to the car and headed home. We left just as they brought out some pizza so we grab a slice. It was SO GOOD. I am sure that had everything to do with having just done an HM.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Overall, it was a great day. We had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the whole race, the challenge of my first HM and the longest run I've ever done, running with DW, seeing the kids and neighbors and the fun at the finish afterwords. The race seemed really well organized and the course was just beautiful going along the ocean, through beautiful seaside neighborhoods and then back along the ocean. My first HM experience was a really good one and now I am looking forward to the next one in November. I am really happy to have a break from racing though!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for reading.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Next up: Seacoast Half Marathon, Nov. 14th.</p>
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>zojmn151</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951330"><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><p>Nice job Doug! Congrats to you and DW!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Didn't know there was a HM at Hampton Beach - what is the course like?</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
The course was awesome. It's very flat and very pretty. A lot of it, especially the last 4mi is along 1-A so right on the ocean. The neighborhoods the course went through were full of cheering families and kids. There was both a HM and a full marathon. The full marathon was the 1st on the seacoast in something like 30 years. </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>zojmn151</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951330"><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><p>Nice job Doug! Congrats to you and DW!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Didn't know there was a HM at Hampton Beach - what is the course like?</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
The course was awesome. It's very flat and very pretty. A lot of it, especially the last 4mi is along 1-A so right on the ocean. The neighborhoods the course went through were full of cheering families and kids. There was both a HM and a full marathon. The full marathon was the 1st on the seacoast in something like 30 years. </p>
<p>Way to go Dougie! Sounds like a great way to spend the morning. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"></p>
<p>Nice job Doug, and great breaking 2:20 and beating your 2:23 goal. Congrats to the DW too. Good luck in the next one coming up!</p>
<p>Congrats to you and DW! Can't wait to meet her and see you at Seacoast!!!! It's a great race, you'll love it and the course is pretty flat <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I will never forget how awesome I felt crossing the finish line at my first half marathon. Running 13.1 is an awesome accomplishment and for you and DW to do your first together on the same day is great!!! Enjoy the great feeling and then by Thursday get your butt back out there! LOL just kidding</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I will never forget how awesome I felt crossing the finish line at my first half marathon. Running 13.1 is an awesome accomplishment and for you and DW to do your first together on the same day is great!!! Enjoy the great feeling and then by Thursday get your butt back out there! LOL just kidding</p>
<p>Congrats to you and DW on your first HM! Great job. I do like that course especially the point where you turn on to 1A south heading to the finish. What a beautiful view.(Note to self: sign up for this next year.)</p>
<p>Congrats on your first HM!</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>1Topodope</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951436"><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>Congrats on your first HM!</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Thank you very much!<br>
</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>ksurp</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951433"><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>Congrats to you and DW on your first HM! Great job. I do like that course especially the point where you turn on to 1A south heading to the finish. What a beautiful view.(Note to self: sign up for this next year.)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Yes, definitely sign up for next year. We felt so lucky to have such a great event 15min from our house. We go over there as often as we can (though admittedly not to Hampton Beach proper but just north). We've lived here over 8 years now and the past three weeks this is probably the most time we've spent at Hampton Beach and both because of races.<br>
</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>juliemboyle</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951396"><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>Congrats to you and DW! Can't wait to meet her and see you at Seacoast!!!! It's a great race, you'll love it and the course is pretty flat <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I will never forget how awesome I felt crossing the finish line at my first half marathon. Running 13.1 is an awesome accomplishment and for you and DW to do your first together on the same day is great!!! Enjoy the great feeling and then by Thursday get your butt back out there! LOL just kidding</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
It will be great to see you too and introduce you to DW. It's going to be quite the family affair for us. We'll have us, 2 SILs, one BIL's wife and one SIL's wife racing that day among some other friends. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>BTW, I am getting back out there today.<br>
</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>niemsco</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951389"><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>Nice job Doug, and great breaking 2:20 and beating your 2:23 goal. Congrats to the DW too. Good luck in the next one coming up!</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Thanks! 2:15 for the next one, right? <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif">.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SpartyGirl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951374"><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>Way to go Dougie! Sounds like a great way to spend the morning. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Thanks! It was a great morning. I hope we get lucky with the weather like we did. 45F at the start and 55F to finish was perfect even if it was chilly once you stopped.</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>1Topodope</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951436"><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>Congrats on your first HM!</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Thank you very much!<br>
</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>ksurp</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951433"><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>Congrats to you and DW on your first HM! Great job. I do like that course especially the point where you turn on to 1A south heading to the finish. What a beautiful view.(Note to self: sign up for this next year.)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Yes, definitely sign up for next year. We felt so lucky to have such a great event 15min from our house. We go over there as often as we can (though admittedly not to Hampton Beach proper but just north). We've lived here over 8 years now and the past three weeks this is probably the most time we've spent at Hampton Beach and both because of races.<br>
</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>juliemboyle</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951396"><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>Congrats to you and DW! Can't wait to meet her and see you at Seacoast!!!! It's a great race, you'll love it and the course is pretty flat <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I will never forget how awesome I felt crossing the finish line at my first half marathon. Running 13.1 is an awesome accomplishment and for you and DW to do your first together on the same day is great!!! Enjoy the great feeling and then by Thursday get your butt back out there! LOL just kidding</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
It will be great to see you too and introduce you to DW. It's going to be quite the family affair for us. We'll have us, 2 SILs, one BIL's wife and one SIL's wife racing that day among some other friends. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>BTW, I am getting back out there today.<br>
</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>niemsco</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951389"><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>Nice job Doug, and great breaking 2:20 and beating your 2:23 goal. Congrats to the DW too. Good luck in the next one coming up!</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Thanks! 2:15 for the next one, right? <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif">.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SpartyGirl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70473/rr-smuttynose-rockfest-half-marathon#post_1951374"><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>Way to go Dougie! Sounds like a great way to spend the morning. <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Thanks! It was a great morning. I hope we get lucky with the weather like we did. 45F at the start and 55F to finish was perfect even if it was chilly once you stopped.</p>
<p>Awesome job, Doug!!! You totally smashed your goal AND finished strong! Congrats to your DW, too!</p>
<p>Congrats on your first HM!! Now starts the fun of chipping away at the HM PR <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;" title=""> Good luck in November!!</p>
<p>Yay Dougie! Congrats to you and your DW!</p>
<p>Congrats to both you and your DW on your first HM's. Sounds like you both ran smart races and I like the self-discipline you exercised by keeping your pace in check in the beginning. Biggest mistake is going out too fast with the crowd. Adrenaline can be both your friend and enemy at times.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well done Doug!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well done Doug!</p>
<p>That's awesome Doug! Congratulations to both of you!</p>
<p>Sounds like it was a great time.</p>
<p>Next year Pumpkinman HIM !!!</p>
<p>Next year Pumpkinman HIM !!!</p>
<p>beautiful job, Dougie! you definitely nailed your pacing on this one.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>devil's chase on Halloween???</p>
<p> </p>
<p>devil's chase on Halloween???</p>
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
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