Mother’s Day Half Marathon race report

The Mother’s Day Run Half Marathon near El Sobrante, CA is one of many races celebrating Mother’s Day couple weekends ago. This one, run within the San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area, was a very nice, low-keyed, local race. With only 26 runners for the Half and 120 some runners total, including those for the companion 5M and 5K races, the race experience was at the opposite extreme from that of a big city race. Except for the first couple miles and around the turnaround point of the out-and-back course, I was mostly running by myself. Without other runners around me, my pace was probably somewhat slower than it would have been otherwise.

The race was well organized and the course was well marked, with planted arrows and signs and, on the ground, many pounds of organic flour (I think that’s what it was)! This was my second trail Half. As with the first one (Dances with Dirt at Devil's Lake), this course was a lot more varied and scenic than are typical urban road races. The first ~5 miles of the Half course was along the Old San Pablo Dam Road, which is also a good part of the Old San Pablo Trail. With the rough and uneven surface, several dry stream bed crossings, one cattle guard (crossed twice), and various other interesting terrain conditions, careful foot landings are essential!

The most challenging section of the course was the steep path up to the top of the Briones Reservoir Dam. For two particularly steep stretches of the path, where my forward speed was basically that of a walk, I just walked. After a scenic round-trip across the top of the dam, the return trip down from the dam was just as challenging—though for different reasons! This is where I definitely need more training—running down steep slopes without slowing too much. Discretion being the better part of valor, I ran down very conservatively, giving up a minute or two, to not chance a catastrophic fall! With each step, I was keenly and nervously aware of the IT bands doing their thing around the knees.

My time of 1:50:30 was about 4 minutes slower than my PR. But, for a trail Half, I was fairly satisfied. It was still my second fastest Half. I very easily won the Great Grand Master division, as well as my age group. ... Well, OK, it would have been really hard to not win both, my being the only one in both groups! J I did, however, finish 5^th overall (out of 26) and 4^th in the men’s division. I still started out at too fast a pace, which might have led to the slight slowdown during the second half of the course, though not as much as that at the Frederick Half a week earlier. The bump in pace around Miles 5 and 6 corresponds to the trek up the dam.

This was one of those “races of opportunity,” i.e., I was already going to be in the general area, so I just looked around for a race that was nearby and on a date that fit my schedule. It was a great experience. Excellent race director, friendly volunteers, lots of food. If a future “opportunity” for this race comes up, I definitely would run it again.

Marathon training continued to surprise (Frederick Half race report)

The Frederick Half Marathon, in historic Frederick, MD (location of several Civil War landmarks), is billed as “a big time race, with small town charm.” With some 3,600 runners, I suppose it’s a big time race, regionally. Small town charm, though, it definitely has. Long sections of the race are through residential neighborhoods, including one through what almost looks like some people’s backyards (!). Finish line is inside of the Frederick Fairgrounds.

First, a few miscellaneous observations:

- 30 minutes before race start, you feel like maybe you got to go again, but the potty lines are a mile long. Don’t panic! You just think you got to go! (Turned out to be the case. J)

- Your're dressed for the start rather than finish temperatures, because of the forecast windy conditions, and, 2 miles out, you’re heating up and frantically thinking ahead to the first planned water stop and how to remove the long sleeve shirt from under the short sleeve shirt. Don’t panic! And, don’t switch too soon. When the wind picks up in the more exposed second half of the course, you’ll be glad you didn't switch. (I was glad!)

- You try to run the tangents and, to your surprise, your GPS watch is right on the mark for all the miles and, for some, even slightly under. Don’t panic! You did not run “super tangents” (i.e., wrong side of traffic cones or arc across traffic circles). The course was probably measured not by tangents, but by some averaged track. (My watch ended up at 13.09)

- You plan for 2 water stops, at Miles 6 and 9, the latter advertised with Gu. Then, you get to Mile 9 and no Gu(!), or, somehow, you miss seeing it. Don’t panic! For a Half, it probably doesn't matter (at least for me).

- Between Miles 8 and 9, all of a sudden, your legs feel tired and doubt creeps into the mind as to whether they could keep up the pace. Don’t panic! Focus on form and wait for the second wind. (Mine came a couple miles later.)

I was coming off a week-long cold, during which I didn't run, so my legs were well-rested—and itchy. At the same time, my body overall was probably not at 100%. So, I repeatedly reminded myself to not start out too fast. But, I probably still ended up doing exactly that, and thus the slowdown in Miles 10 to 12.

Overall, I was quite happy with my time. This was my second Frederick Half; my time of 1:46:34 is a new PR. My previous 2 PRs were at the Walnut Creek Half (1:51:08, Dec. 2012) and the 2012 SunTrust Half (1:59:19, March 2012). I now have my sights on 1:40 (!), which I feel quite confidently as being realistic. As for the top finishers in my age group, they were down around 1:30, which I still feel, though not as confidently, is a feasible goal. J

In recent months, I've come to feel a certain confidence in running and racing that I've not felt before, most likely because of all the marathon training and the resulting stronger foundation. This is true both physically and mentally. I've more confidence in maintaining a faster pace. I've more confidence in attacking hills and being able to recover afterwards. As a result, I think I’m leaving much less behind on the course, when I cross the finish line. I believe in myself much more. I also think that at least part of the ~4.5 minute time drop came from the Boston Stands As One shirt I was wearing (!).