Staten Island Half Marathon - 10/11/09

Here are the notes I wrote down right after the race, but haven't have the motivation to put it into a full post yet:

Total time: 1:38:44; Overall pace: 7:32
Second fastest half marathon time (only about 20 seconds behind the Long Branch Half in May 2009 when I had the comfort of a pace group)
Second time I've gone under 1:39
Three of my half marathon times in 2009 have been 1:40 or better

I ran a great race here last year and had another one today. The weather was perfect for running - in the 50s and sunny
I had a goal of running under 1:43 - I was running about a 7:45 pace for the first five miles and felt a little bit strained, but I got alot more energy during the turnaround miles in which I was able to see other runners in both directions. After hitting a 7:12 pace at mile 6, I started to feel good and decided to pick up the pace. I felt really good for the next two miles when seeing the runners in the other direction There were several hills coming up that I knew about from last year and slowed down a little bit to conserve my energy. Except for mile 8 which I ran a 7:54, my pace was definitely quicker than the first half and my goal when from a sub 1:43 to going under 1:40.

Several big thoughts from the race: After the Long Branch Half when I blew by my PR, I relied on a pace group and thought that I wouldn't be able to approach the 1:38 time again running by myself without a group. This race showed me that by going out at a faster pace and adjusting throughout, I was proud to do this on my own

Besides running my three fastest times so far in 2009, even better was how I feel after the race. Although tired, I feel good, I'm not "wiped" out. While I am a little bummed that I am not doing a marathon this year, due to the fact that my running has significantly improved, there is a big part of me that knows that probably the big reason I am running well and was able to improve my times in 2009 was because I am not putting my body through the strain of training but rather keeping to a comfortable schedule of a long run every week (since February) and running about 25 miles per week. This year so far has given me the confidence that I can get a lot faster and still feel good and strong while doing it.

My half plateau has come down a lot this year. In 2008 and the beginning of 2009, I felt that I had a good chance of running a 1:45 or better each time out. Since May 2009, I have confidence that I can do a 1:42 or better and have a shot at around 1:40. Big boost for me and a big step up.

Consistency and pacing is key throughout the race and that is my goal going into each race

Mile 1- 7:52
Mile 2- 7:38
Mile 3- 7:42
Mile 4- 7:41
Mile 5- 7:47
Mile 6- 7:12
Mile 7- 7:27
Mile 8- 7:54 (big hill)
Mile 9- 7:19 (average of mile 9 & 10 - I forgot to stop watch after mile 9)
Mile 10- 7:19 (average of mile 9 & 10 - - I forgot to stop watch after mile 9)
Mile 11- 7:29
Mile 12- 7:36
Last 1.1 miles - 7:45 (average pace of 7:03)

My fastest three half marathon times so far: 1:38:20 (Long Branch Half - May 2009); 1:38:44 (Staten Island Half - October 2009); 1:40:14 (Queens Half - September 2009)