In spite of feeling pretty run down I ran this half marathon in 2:31:07 according to my stopwatch which I forgot to stop immediately after the finish line, but only by a few seconds. I will correct the real time as soon as the chip times become available. It will probably be a few seconds shy of 2:31 I’m sure.
That would make this a half marathon PR for me with a pace of about 7:12 or so. In spite of this victory, I was a little upset because I could have finished 10 minutes earlier were it not for my left knee threatening to swell up again. I had to stop to stretch it out and alter my bio-mechanics more in order to continue on. I fought with that knee all the way from the 9 km mark. I’m pretty sure it’s a muscle that tightens up, forcing my knee to track improperly after a while. But I don’t know how to deal with it. All I know right now is that my left knee is my weakest link. In the next few weeks I will continue to run 33 km per week but will slow down for two weeks to let it heal. Speed is the knee killer, not distance.
I saw Greg, one of Karen Cooksley’s running acquaintances from Calgary. I spoke to him briefly and asked him to say hello to Karen for me when he got back.
The weather was cold and overcast but perfect for running. The race itself was well organized with lots of aid stations and lots of food at the end (burgers and hot dogs, muffins and fruit, coffee). My only criticism of this race was the lack of a toilet. Other than at the campground, there were no portable, or any, facilities. They should have had at least one port-o-potty at the turn around point for the half marathon. I was not that comfortable since I had to pee but couldn’t from the 2 km mark, which left me looking for a place for 19 kilometers! I eventually found one – at the campground. Damn those morning “diuretical” coffees I had this morning!
So I have nothing left for this year. Nothing planned except my weekly maintenance runs.
Way to go! I placed 4th with a time of 1 hour 35 minutes, 49 seconds (chip time). This is a pretty cool site Im gonna look at makin one for myself.
See you next year!
Hey, thats awesome! My dad and I have been running 1/2 marathons together this summer and we did it as well this morning.. I totally agree on the washrooms… Where do you find the results?
Hello and thanks for the comment. The race results are not posted yet but when they are they should appear here:
http://www.runningroom.com/hm/inside.php?id=3689
If that doesn’t work try going up a few levels and navigating to the results from this link:
http://www.runningroom.com/hm/inside.php?id=3022
OR:
http://www.runningroom.com/hm/
which is the home page of the Running Room. Navigate to the events.
Hey, good for you!…it was a fun marathon! looking forward to the next one…perhaps the last chance half in calgary in november?…so many great races out there to do! see you all at a future race!