Eisenhower Half Marathon

Ok, so let’s just go ahead and say I’m better at long distance than short distance.

I ran the Eisenhower Half Marathon in Abilene, KS, at 7:00 am this morning. The temperature was around 40 at the start, but the high today was to be 68, so I wasn’t worried about a warm up. It was dark when we started, and I was nervous as hell (as usual).

There were other races going on concurrently with the Half—a marathon, a 10k, and a 5k. Wasn’t concerned with any of those people.

One goal in mind as I started this Half Marathon this morning:
average a 7:00 pace (in preparation for Boston), making my goal time 1:31:42. Wasn’t sure I could do it, wasn’t sure I wanted to try. But, we made a 5-hour trip for me to run the race, the race was paid for by Team Nebraska, and we had a free hotel stay. So it was worth an attempt.

Bonus: If I won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, Overall Woman, I would receive $150, $125, or $75, respectively. Not a big concern, though, really. I wasn’t trying to win, only train.

So, I started out, trying to just get a feel for a comfortable pace. I decided not to wear my garmin because I wanted to do it on my own. The course was an out and back, heading south, then east circling through a park, heading south from the park, eventually reaching a turnaround, going north and back through the park, then heading back to the start. What I didn’t know was how beautiful the run would actually be!! I had a great time during the run—the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

Mile 1 – I just ran along, trying to feel things out. At the mile marker a guy was ticking off times. I ran by and he said 6:45. Well, that was probably too fast, but I wasn’t feeling too overwhelmed. I decided to just keep on going.

Mile 2 - We crossed a highway bridge that passed over a river—beautiful!!! I realized at this time that there were a couple of guys directly in front of me. I decided to hang onto their pace for a little bit, as they were going pretty fast and smooth. I also knew that there were 3 women in front of me. No matter. Not my goal.

Mile 3 – As we headed through the magnificent park, I finally asked these guys what kind of pace they were trying to hold. One guy said 6:45. I said what is our pace now? He said 6:45. I stuck with them until the turnaround, the 6.55 mile point.

Mile 4 – We crossed over another little wooden bridge. Awesome!

Mile 5 – Pretty standard. OH, except for the massive hill we climbed to the turnaround. And that I got to see my sweetheart waiting for me on the horizon!

Turnaround, or 6.55 miles – Again they were ticking off times. I ran by—44:59. PERFECT! Now all I had to do was keep going at a pretty solid pace and I might actually be able to take it easy at the end.

Mile 6.55 and on – Passed those two fellows I was hanging with and just kept on going at a comfortable pace. I ran by Phillip, he said I was looking good, and I kept on going.

Mile 8 or so, back through the park – I caught the 3rd woman. I thought she was slowing down so as just to tail me for a little while, and then towards the end just ramrod me. I stayed slow with her for a bit…nope, she was done for. Kept going…

Miles 9 to 13 – Just ran what I thought was comfortable. No real news, except that just ahead about 30 seconds or so I could see the 2nd woman. Not to worry. Not my goal.

Last .10 – I kicked it up a notch, as I had some left to give. Ran in, looked at the clock, heard Phillip say, "Freaking awesome baby, I’m so proud of you!" and I was done.

The one and only time I ever ran a Half Marathon, September 9, 2006: 1:33:21.

Eisenhower Half Marathon, April 5, 2008: 1:27:44.

Difference: priceless. Not really, haha! Actually it was a 5:06 difference!!!

And, what’s more, if you look at the difference between the first half and the second half of the race you will notice a difference in the split time. That’s right, a negative split!

The first 6.55 miles I ran in 44:59 (6:53 average pace)
The second 6.55 miles I ran in 42:45 (6:32 average pace)
=2:14 negative split!!!

SO, although I didn’t try, I made 5 achievements today instead of the 1 goal that I set out for—

1. Kept at least a 7:00 pace
2. PR’ed
3. Scored a negative split, bigtime
4. Scored 3rd overall woman, so I got the $75 prize winnings after all.
5. And I found out later that I got 6th place overall! There were only 3 other men and 2 other women in front of me.

Official –
1:27:44, 6:42 average pace, 6th Overall, 3rd Overall Female