1/2 Marathon Pace Race Complete

That's me today running the Smiths Falls Half Marathon. See that chick behind me in the red hat? I'm smiling because I passed her and held her off after she had the audacity to pass ME at the 3km mark. bahahahahahah sucka. Just kidding. Well sort of.

Anyway I had a great run today. I tried to look at it as a training run to see how my pace is coming along for the marathon.  It went just as I expected and I'm pleased with the results. I made a classic runners mistake and went out WAY too fast in the beginning.  I tried to start slow but I got swept up in the crowd and had a hard time taming my adrenalin.
The annoying part about that was getting passed by about 10 people (the lady in the red hat included), at the 3km mark. I tried to brush it off and just hold my pace.

I felt strong and decided not to take a walk break or stop and stretch. I normaly stop for a second to stretch my hamstrings. I felt like if I slowed that lady would pass me again and I just couldn't let that happen! ;) 

I also decided to hold a tiny water bottle and get the weight off my hips. It worked out really well with Adam handing me a new one around the 11k mark.

I have to say that I gave it ALL I HAD and left it out on the trail. I could not have gone any faster than I did and I'm o.k with that.  I feel pretty good right now. My hamstrings are tight but that is the extent of my aches and pains. 

My results:

Time:  1hr 44mins 49 secs  (1:44.49)
Avg Pace: 4:59 km/min
Age Cat: 3/15
Women overall:  8/40
Overall: 20th place.

I have 2 more runs in the 30k range, and I begin to taper for the marathon. I feel like I'm doing everything I should be and I feel strong and confident at this point that I can make my goal time.

A good day overall...
Happy Running.

Alyson