Qld Half Marathon Plus

Sunday
14.5k 1:21:21. HR Avg 138 Max 156 Avg Pace 5:36
Course: Warm up prior to QLD Half Marathon.
Start Time: 5:40 am Temp 15C.
Session Type: Easy Run

21.1k 1:41:44. HR Avg 160 Max 170 Avg Pace 4:49
Course: QLD Half Marathon.
Start Time: 7:00 am Temp 17C.
Session Type: Race


Monday
6.8k 37:14. HR Avg 132 Max 139 Avg Pace 5:28
Course: Work to New Farm Park and Back.
Start Time: 5:55 pm Temp 21C.
Session Type: Easy Run


I needed to have a l o n g run this weekend, so did a slow 81 minutes before the start of the Half Marathon on Sunday morning. From Doomben, I headed towards town by the river. I knew there was a tap on the boardwalk on the Tennyson Reach which was my target turn around point. I got there in just over 40 minutes, so knew if I kept the same pace going back I should time it about right to arrive just before the start. And that's exactly as it worked out.

I was at the back of the pack at the start so it was a little slow getting going. I also suprised the people at the first water table at the 300m point when I stopped and slammed down two cups of water.Must have wondered how I was going to last the whole race. The first K was 5:14 followed by a 5:05 and then a 5:03. My aim for the Half was a solid run but not flat out but at over 5m/k pace I felt it was a little too easy, so just kept picking the pace up. And after a few more Ks I was doing around 4:47 and was comfortable to just sit on that pace and slowily keep picking peolple off.

Turned at half way in 51:25 (Avg Pace 4:54 HR avg 155) and just kept chugging along. I was feeling very good and not getting tired in the legs at all and pretty much continued on to the finish at that pace giving me a second half split of 50:19 ( Avg Pace 4:47 HR avg 165).

I certainly felt like I could have kept going for another 7k at that same pace. I don't know if I could have done the same thing if the first 14.5k pre-race was at that pace though.

I am just so happy with the run. My left leg gave me no problems and even on a normal slow long run both legs usually have a certain amount of leg weariness. But I seemed to have none of that. And still no sign of after soreness even on tonight's gentle recovery run. I am even starting to think I maybe able to raise my expectation from just getting to the starting line at GC to something at little higher.

Caught up with all the CR crowd afterwards and it was especially good to talk with visitor SpeedyGeoff especially after he had recovered from all the punches to the gut.