Tucson Half Marathon
Great way to end the 2012 season - PR!!!! After
Top of Utah 26.2, I took some needed
'easy' training which didn't leave much time for a nice build/specific training for this race. Went into this race with these goals:
- #1 'make it hurt' and pace the race smart
- A+ goal Sub 1:30
Pre-race they bused us up to the start line.
We had about an hour and a half to kill so I
stood with everyone around the warmers.
I wanted to get in a 10-15 minute warm-up; but it was pitch black.
I seem to
trip very easily as of late, so I decided it
was not worth the risk:)
I did do a bunch of drills
This is a smaller race – 1219 finishers for the half, so it
was fun to get to start up front with the
fast runners.
Teresa and I decided the first 3 miles I'd keep my HR in zone 4 and then go for it! With that in mind I took off.
Miles 1-5 Lose most your elevation in these miles. I felt wonderful,
never felt like I was overworking it, and legs were turning over quick!
6:45, 6:42, 6:44, 6:39, 6:45(Took Gel)
Miles 6-10 still losing elevation but with some ups (These don't seem significant when you are driving the course but running it you
feel the up’s)
I always write BTM on my
hand before a race but a running friend who's been helping me had told me to write FOCUS and
that every time I looked at it he would be pushing me. I looked at that word a
lot throughout these miles and kept telling myself not to let the pace slow.
6:37(
New 10K PR), 6:47, 6:54(little climb here, at top I remember this was
where legs started to hurt) 6:52, 6:51
Miles 11 – 13.1 only significant climbs on the course in these miles. Saw my dad right before mile 11 was was a great boost!!
The climb behind the mall looks daunting; but
pump the arms and lift the knees and you get up it quick. Last stretch to
finish line is on an incline as well.
6:45 (took ½ Gel to get ready for climb) 7:04 (Hill), 6:49, 6:09
1:28:54
6:47 avg pace
173 avg HR
**Didn’t end up taking in any liquids… I was worried if I
slowed to drink I’d have a hard time getting back into the pace I was
running. It was cool enough and I had
taken Hammer Electrolytes tables the week prior
After the race I saw
Hillary and talked to her for a minute.
Super freaking nice person and full of energy – love that!
Couple race details:
-
They ran out of small shirts so I’d hit the expo early.
-
Take one of the last buses so you are not waiting
around for so long
-
Awesome volunteers!
-
Not huge support on the course from the public if that
is your sort of thing… it is beautiful though
-
Bit of a traffic mess after the race...police
were unsure which roads were closed/etc… I wouldn’t park at the school
-
Take the drive to the top of Mt Lemmon… beautiful up
there!
The body and
mind continues to amaze me and I plan on continuing to push it!!!!
Already 22 weeks out from STG 70.3!!!
Great way to end the 2012 season - PR!!!! After Top of Utah 26.2, I took some needed 'easy' training which didn't leave much time for a nice build/specific training for this race. Went into this race with these goals: 
Miles 1-5 Lose most your elevation in these miles. I felt wonderful,
never felt like I was overworking it, and legs were turning over quick!
Miles 6-10 still losing elevation but with some ups (These don't seem significant when you are driving the course but running it you
feel the up’s) I always write BTM on my
hand before a race but a running friend who's been helping me had told me to write FOCUS and
that every time I looked at it he would be pushing me. I looked at that word a
lot throughout these miles and kept telling myself not to let the pace slow. 
Miles 11 – 13.1 only significant climbs on the course in these miles. Saw my dad right before mile 11 was was a great boost!! The climb behind the mall looks daunting; but
pump the arms and lift the knees and you get up it quick. Last stretch to
finish line is on an incline as well.
6:47 avg pace
