First try in a long time to run a real race at a real pace w/o injury. Really had no idea what was possible since my training has been subdued to help prevent new injury. I just hoped for around a 1:50 finish.
Great morning with a little fog, no wind and temps in the high 40's. Course was quite flat and I was determined to start slow.
Mile 1 8:12
Mile 2 8:05
Mile 3 8:05
The course then went up the only real hill, but it was pretty gradual and managed to maintain:
Mile 4 8:01
then the markers disappeared for 4 miles as we got back on the coast road. Next thing I knew we were at 8 miles and I was at 1:03:52 so ran 4 miles at about 7:50 pace.
The turn back was at just over 8 miles and I felt great at this point. I knew I only needed sub 8;30 pace back to stand a good chance of a PR. Felt good but was reluctant to pick up the pace in fear of a rapid fade.
Mile markers were a bit out of place because mile 10 was 8:39 and mile 11 was 7:28 and I know I ran both at a similar pace. Mile 12 was a little mental game to stay focused and managed a 8:01. Could see the finish in the distance and picked it up a touch and did the last 1.1 in 8:37 for a PR of 1:44+. Felt like I could of pushed a little more but am realy happy to finish a race without injury and do a half under 8 minute pace, even if it was just under. | 