New Bedford Half-Marathon
 
Last year I had a major bonk during the last 4 miles of the 1/2 marathon, so my goal this year was to avoid the same fate.  I did a few long runs this year (longer than 6m!) and felt my training was going well.  I dropped down to 80 miles for this week which was my lowest weekly mileage total in 6 months.  I hate to taper and felt pretty lousy once I cut back a bit.

I met up with teammates Jim Pawlicki and Joe Shairs and we motored down to New Bedford, leaving ample time for number pick-up.  Giving extra time was important, the bathroom lines were pretty serious.  We headed out on the course and warmed-up doing an easy 2 miles.  It was brisk (30's) and windy (15+ mph).  It was an unusual wind, it'd be a headwind for the first 3 miles and the last 4 but mostly a tail to cross-wind for the other 7 miles.  We changed into race gear and got to the line about 10 minutes before the start, man I hate big races (and city races).

I had my splits on my wrist with the goal time of 1:16:00, running "even" on this course is impossible so I've worked out splits based on my last 9 races at NB.  I started about 5 rows back and got a decent start.  I found Joe almost right away and we hit the mile right on pace.  It felt a little harder effort than I hoped but it was early and there was plenty of time to settle in.  Joe and I hit right on pace for 2 and 3 miles.  Right after 3 the top woman blew by us like we were standing still.  She put about 5 seconds on us and then we seemed to be running the same pace.  I kind of liked having the big clock on the truck out in front where I could see it rolling along.

Four through six miles are always quick with a slight downhill and in this case a slight tail-wind.  Joe and I were locked in step and if either of us got a gap the other would close it.  I felt okay but not great, but kept my head up and could see Jason Porter and Wayne Levy (two top masters) up ahead.  Around 7 miles I started feeling pretty good (maybe it was the gel I'd taken?) and I upped the tempo a bit and Joe didn't go with me.  By 8 miles I'd finally caught the first woman and was still looking ahead. 

That was the point were my wheels came off last year, this year I felt pretty good.  Right before 9 I surged to close the gap on Matt Germain, I wanted to get behind him before we hit wind.  I tucked in behind him just as we turned into the wind.  I didn't stay behind him all that long and surged a bit to get the next guy.  I found myself slowly moving up and catching people.  Around 10 miles I latched onto Bob Jackman and he was still motoring.  We ran by random guys here and there and slowly closed on Wayne, who is usually the top 45+ guy so I was aiming for him.  We caught Wayne and a couple of guys and I tried to move, Wayne has great leg speed and I was not confident in my ability to out-kick him.  Our group stuck together during the long grind up from 12 miles.

With a half-mile to go I looked at my watch and tried to throw in everything I had.  Wayne dropped back a bit and I gave all I had.  Down the final straight a couple of guys I'd passed came by me and got me right at the line but I was happy to get over the line nearly a minute ahead of my goal and 1:37 under my masters personal best.

I did a very slow 2 mile warm-down and went out on the course to cheer people in.  By the time I got into the post-race food I was bonking and very sore.  I guess that is a good sign that I had nothing left. 

 

Splits: 532/552/558/554/530/534/526/539/542/544/554/554/555/37

Next up:  An easy week then back to racing and mileage, I'm hoping to get fit and fast in time for the James Joyce Ramble which will host the US masters 10km championships.

Top 20 masters

13	KEVIN	COLLINS		42	M	1:09:23	5:18
24	CHRIS	MAGILL	BAA	40	M	1:10:56	5:25
40	JOSEPH	NAVAS	Whirlaway	42	M	1:11:54	5:30
45	GREGORY	PICKLESIMER	Somerville Roa	46	M	1:12:20	5:32
62	KEVEN	O'NEIL	BAA	43	M	1:14:02	5:39
70	JASON	PORTER	Central Mass S	43	M	1:14:25	5:41
74	HARRY	STANTS	BAA	40	M	1:14:49	5:43
77	ANDY	SPAULDING	Dirigo RC	42	M	1:15:03	5:44
81	DAVE	DUNHAM	Central Mass S	48	M	1:15:11	5:45
83	WAYNE	LEVY	BAA	47	M	1:15:17	5:45
85	SCOTT	ANDERSON	Whirlaway	48	M	1:15:25	5:46
91	JOE	SHAIRS	Central Mass S	44	M	1:15:52	5:48
94	PETER	BOTTOMLEY	Dirigo RC	43	M	1:16:03	5:49
100	JUSTIN	RENZ	HFC Striders	41	M	1:16:38	5:51
102	PATRICK	CALLAGHAN	BAA	40	M	1:16:39	5:51
110	DAVID	PRINCIPE	Tuesday Night	46	M	1:17:36	5:56
128	TERRY	MCNATT	CSU	48	M	1:18:47	6:01
130	BRIAN	ALLEN	Whirlaway	41	M	1:18:52	6:01
142	MIKE	GIROUARD	GLRR	43	M	1:19:56	6:06
144	KEVIN	HILL	BAA	40	M	1:20:14	6:08