River Bound Half Marathon Trail Race Report

This goes back to September 25th. The first running of the River Bound Half Marathon on the campus of the US National Whitewater Training Center. I'd previously run the 15k (back on July 17th) where I struggled - but for good reason. This time, I had no excuse.
Weather was a good bit more humane than before, just reaching "warm" during the run. I was very glad the entire course was tree covered. I was looking forward to running some of the same trails as before, plus some new trails. Not that I know any names except the "Green" trail was to be a part of this one and the "Figure 8" trail was having some work done.
Started off at a comfortable pace with a nice group. We stayed together for a few miles once the initial spreading out occurred. I didn't seem to recall the hills being as bad as they were (not that they were really that bad), but I started taking walk breaks after only a few miles and thought it could be a long day (few hours) ahead. Was glad I had my (small) camelbak as I cruised thru the water stops, just grabbing a cup and dumping it over my head after a small sip.
This time - I actually saw mile markers. Did I just completely miss them last time?? (Anyone?). It helped mentally as I saw my pace was consistent, staying around 9:30 with a few fliers. For awhile - it was just me out there and I was quickly reminded how enjoyable it is out on the trails.
The 2nd half is definitely easier and I felt better as I went along. I knew breaking 2 hours was Not going to happen, but I wasn't really running for a goal time. I did make sure I broke 2:10 though.
With the Figure 8 trail closed, they re-routed us at mile ~12 near the starting line before a 0.5 mile (or so?) out and back on the trail we started on before finishing. You could hear the finish line as we took the turn away from it. And of course there was a nice hill just before you got out into the open. Luckily - there was no one watching the group I was with walking at that point. A guy who had been right behind me at that point came up beside me in the open and we chatted as we headed to the finish. I did pick it up to get in front of him, if only to make it easier on the girl having to decide who finished first out of us two!
My finishing time: 2:08:12
9:47/mi pace assuming the course was 13.1 miles; a full 38secs/mi faster pace than the 15k race on the same course. No complaints about that!
Next Race: Marine Corps Marathon on Halloween.

River Bound Trail 15k Race Report

River Bound Race Series

I did not come into this event with the best preparation. See if you can count how many of these fall into a typical list of "what Not to do".
For more than two weeks before the race, I did not run - at all. It has been well over two years since that has happened. I was resting my sore left foot and I finally conceded and went to the doctor 2 days before the race. I was told I had semasoiditis and given some off-the-shelf orthotics to help alleviate the pressure on the ball of my foot. I could run as long as I could stand the pain. After wearing them 2 hrs Thursday, 4 hours Friday - I thought I could run in them. I decided to go with my new Asics 2150 Trail shoes (I had only walked 3 miles in them so far), but I was Not going to race this. My friend Kristen was going to be there - otherwise I doubt I would have pushed myself to do it. It's always good to see your friends, and it would probably work out that we could run together - for at least some of it.
After what seemed a ridiculous amount of pre-race information thru the megaphone while standing in the already-baking sun at 8am, we got started on some gravel for a little run by the water of the US National Whitewater Center (a pretty cool place by the way, even with the $5 parking fee). Kristen and I settled into our run as people more concerned with racing went ahead. We chatted and watched the trail as we entered the singletrack with some ups and downs, rolling into no-mans land. It would be easy to get lost on the course without the race signs posted (and they were plentiful - Thank you!). The course itself was very good, all pretty runnable (for those in shape, unlike myself). It always seemed to be turning with gentle climbs and falls, with a good hill in every now and then. When we hit the first water stop. I was already feeling overheated and dumping water over my head only provided minimal relief. Soon after I let Kristen go on so she could "race" on her own. I was hot, winded, and I knew my legs didn't have a whole lot in them. I walked on and off the next few miles, even when the terrain would normally dictate that I run. The overheating issue subsided and I got my cardio back a little, but legs were still just weak. Five out of the six weeks since the Chattooga 50k I had averaged a whopping 8 miles/week. No wonder I was having difficulty. I did enjoy the course and at times there was no one in sight. I really had no clue how far there was left to go, but I did feel a little better the last couple of miles and ran much of the rest of the way. My competitive nature did kick in when someone on a bike said we were getting close and there were two runners ahead of me I wanted to pass, then I had to make sure they weren't going to pass me back as we entered the open area by the water. I may have looked strong, but it was tough and I was happy to have finished in 1:36:55. Kristen finished 2nd in her age group, about 9 minutes ahead of me.
There's a half-marathon in the Sept that I may have to come back and run!