Cold and windy! We started at a bone chilling 20 degrees and headed out for our 2 loops around Robins AFB. The course itself is very FLAT with perhaps a total elevation change of 80' per half marathon. Very nice.
I ran with my 67 y/o training partner and a fellow member of the local running club who was working on his marathon maniac status. He had just run the Disney marathon 6 days prior. We were also joined with a wonderful lady who has done some long runs with us. She was running her very first half marathon. As you can guess the conversation never lulled.
Shortly after starting it warmed up and I started reaping the benefits of a local marathon. We were able to shed some clothes at mile 6 hading them over to the photographer and good friend knowing we'd see our jackets again at the finish line. We passed (and were passed) by several folks exchanging words of encouragement. Our half marathoners had only trained up to 10 miles and started struggling around mile 11.5 to the finish line. We walked more than was expected but since I had no time goals it wasn't much of a problem. My goal is to show significant improvement by Snickers marathon so the moments of extended walking really helps cushion the base line.
Around mile 19 I actually start to have pain in my hips (where it meets my lower back). Ouch! My 67 year old running buddy started getting tired around mile 23-24 and needed to walk more....fine by me.
What I find most incredible is the fact we walked more than expected, messed around more at aid stations than expected and still within the cutoff time. Instead we finished with an ungraceful 5:45 but I had thought we were going to be over 6 with all the walking we did.
Overall it is still the worlds most dull race. The race support is good, the race is well organized, and you can't ask for much more but runnng up and down the flight line is about as much fun as a root canal. That said, if you are looking for a super fast finish then this should be on your to-do list.
Side note: My friend just sent word that he is now officially MM #1317 !! | 