7:30 am race in Somerset KY. very hilly. 63 degrees and 94% humidity. At first glance, I was a little disappointed in my results. I would like to run the Chicago Marathon in 3:00:00 or less. Therefore a half marathon result 1:25:00+ in not very encouraging. However, 1:24:xx took first place so maybe this is not a good indicator of my abilities at this time.
Miles 1-4: 6:17, 7:07, 6:51, 7:58. Lead group went out fast and I ran with them to help with the wind for the first mile. Once I saw how fast we were at the mile split, I pulled back. Mile 2 I was by myself. Mile three I was passed by the eventual 3rd, 4th, and 5th place finishers. Mile 4 had a mean hill heading up into downtown.
Miles 5-8: 7:15, 6:45, 6:55, 7:01. Mile 5 was rolling through the downtown. Finally a payoff with slight downhill for the next two miles. I was kind of out there by myself for most of this stretch.
Miles 9-12: 7:09, 7:33, 7:14, 8:01. I ran aside the 5th place finisher for a couple of miles, but he smoked me on the uphills. a couple of killer hills, then a long sweeping hill over the bridge for mile 12.
Mile 13: 7:19 (0:17 for the last 10th)I pushed as hard as I could. My calves were feeling it from the hills.
All in all a good test.
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