(post copied from RR)
Dateline: Columbus
Weather: Hazy, humid, 73 degrees at 7:30am
Cause: Raise awareness for organ donation
Goal #1: Do better than last year's 2:08 (accomplished)
Goal #2: PR w/ a 2:05 (will have to wait until the fall)
Fashion Report: light blue MIT shirt, black race-ready shorts, white mesh cap, silver/blue Asics 2110's, LiveStrong bracelet, lots of vaseline.
I planned to run consistent 9:30's, which would give me a little time cushion. I hydrated well, E-capped and Gu'd before the start, did both again at 5m, Gu only at 9m, fluids at every stop. Wouldn't have changed a thing there.
A nice group of 4-5 women sprung up after the first couple of miles and we stuck together for the bulk of the race. I usually end up running these things by myself, so it was helpful to have a support group. I saw 4boys a couple of times - she was having a tough time with the heat but was determined to finish.
The 2-loop course starts in downtown Columbus then follows the bike trail along the river. The hills don't seem too bad during the first loop, but the sun broke through the haze by the second pass and faster people were beginning to fade.
I was able to maintain my pace until the 11m uphill, where I crashed smack-dab into the Wall. I didn't see it coming and I couldn't recover from it. I walked through the next gatorade stop then struggled to stay under 10:00.
As a final insult, the finish is uphill. A couple of folks from my training group were there to shout encouragement and help me finish on my feet (my last 0.1m was at 8:27!).
I got it done in 2:06:36... better than last year and still a 20-second PR, but not quite what I hoped to do. I'll give it another shot after the marathon in October.
------------------
Jeanne in Ohio
(hoping to age into a BQ when I'm 60)
My Running Forums Profile[/URL" target="_blank">
Dateline: Columbus
Weather: Hazy, humid, 73 degrees at 7:30am
Cause: Raise awareness for organ donation
Goal #1: Do better than last year's 2:08 (accomplished)
Goal #2: PR w/ a 2:05 (will have to wait until the fall)
Fashion Report: light blue MIT shirt, black race-ready shorts, white mesh cap, silver/blue Asics 2110's, LiveStrong bracelet, lots of vaseline.
I planned to run consistent 9:30's, which would give me a little time cushion. I hydrated well, E-capped and Gu'd before the start, did both again at 5m, Gu only at 9m, fluids at every stop. Wouldn't have changed a thing there.
A nice group of 4-5 women sprung up after the first couple of miles and we stuck together for the bulk of the race. I usually end up running these things by myself, so it was helpful to have a support group. I saw 4boys a couple of times - she was having a tough time with the heat but was determined to finish.
The 2-loop course starts in downtown Columbus then follows the bike trail along the river. The hills don't seem too bad during the first loop, but the sun broke through the haze by the second pass and faster people were beginning to fade.
I was able to maintain my pace until the 11m uphill, where I crashed smack-dab into the Wall. I didn't see it coming and I couldn't recover from it. I walked through the next gatorade stop then struggled to stay under 10:00.
As a final insult, the finish is uphill. A couple of folks from my training group were there to shout encouragement and help me finish on my feet (my last 0.1m was at 8:27!).
I got it done in 2:06:36... better than last year and still a 20-second PR, but not quite what I hoped to do. I'll give it another shot after the marathon in October.
------------------
Jeanne in Ohio
(hoping to age into a BQ when I'm 60)
My Running Forums Profile[/URL" target="_blank">
It's been hot and humid here in NE OH. I give you lots of credit for racing in it! Good luck in Columbus. P.S. You won't need to wait until you're 60 
