San Jose Rock and Roll Half Marathon Report
Well yesterday was my first ever Half Marathon in San Jose, CA.
Got to hang out a bit on Saturday with Kevin A and Kirsten, did some carb loading, then met up with them pre-race and we got into Corral 10.
Weather was very cool to start, it was overcast till just about the start of the race, then the sun came out. I was pretty excited before the race, confident i could finish.
Race started a little after 8 am, we got to the start line about 8:09 am and it was on!
My strategy was to pace myself a little below my training runs at the beginning, going about a 10:30 to 11:00 pace
First 3 mile splits were exactly where i wanted to be:
Mile 1: 10:39
Mile 2: 10:35
Mile 3: 10:43
I passed the 5k mark feeling good, my next 3 miles were great as well.
Mile 4: 10:46
Mile 5: 10:52
Mile 6: 11:10
At about 4.5 miles, I could see the elite runners coming back (Mile 12) and they are impressive. After the 10k mark, i slowed a bit to down a salt packet. I was still feeling relatively good. One elderly lady was sitting in her wheelchair on the sidewalk with a sign that said "I'm too old to run, but I can still cheer" Funny!
Mile 7: 10:49
Mile 8: 11:20
After Mile 8, my hips really started to give me some aches, so I dialed back my pace to make sure I wasn't totally spent. I also walked through the water stations to gather some energy.
Mile 9: 12:15
Mile 10: 12:10
Mile 11: 12:12
After Mile 11, my hips were really burning, but I could sense the finish line.
Mile 12: 12:26
Just after Mile 12, there is an underpass and the final small hill, I was using everything I had left to push myself up the hill. I turned the corner for the final quarter-mile and random strangers were there cheering everyone on, even a couple were on the course high-fiving people as they went by.
I turned the corner at Mile 13: 11:32. The final straightaway to the finish, I gave it all I had left, nothing was gonna be left in the tank. The pain in my hips subsided as the adrenaline took over and I crossed the finish line at 2:29:36 official chip time. My girlfriend saw me finish and I had my name announced too, as I crossed the line! I grabbed water, ice washcloth and various food items, plus i got my finishers medal.
I met my goal of finishing before 2:30 and i had no bathroom stops. Afterwards, i had the classic runner's walk going on, some cramping in my lower legs, but i kept walking to let the body return to normal. Met up with Kevin and Kirsten again (who set personal records for their half-marathon) and we went to watch NFL games at a local sports bar and eat really good food.
Probably one of the best and most tiring weekends I've had. Will I do another one or even a full marathon? Not sure on the full marathon as the half-marathon took everything out of me. I may do more half-marathons and will probably line up a few more 10ks before the year is out.
I'm feeling pretty well the morning after, some residual soreness and aches, but not bad for running 13.1 miles.
Brian
~350
