Matthew Stewart ran the Wangaratta Half Marathon in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia coming across the finish line in the time of 1:27:20 which is a PR by 2 minutes and 8 seconds.
Ran the Wangaratta ½ marathon in North-eastern Victoria, Australia. (Even though it says marathon race day on the schedule I decided to go to the half a month ago and keep the schedule the same. Doing the half fits in better with my training after this race; the lead-up to Comrades at the end of May (89km road race) Arriving on Saturday, we had a walk around town for dinner options later on and checked out the start/finish area. It was crazy hot (38 °C) but the locals were playing tennis cool as cucumbers! Start time today was 7am with the temp at 17.7°C and humidity at 84% but all it did from then was climb, to 22.5°C 60% humidity by the time I finished and 29C by the time my wife finished the marathon (in 23 minute PR), just outside a BQ but she assures me that next race it’s on like Donkey Kong and we’ll see you in Boston soon Jeff!). As always, there are things you think could do better in hindsight. I haven’t raced a ½ in 2 years – to the day in fact – so my pacing was off. Started ok then sped up to clear traffic (the course was mostly asphalt paths along a river). I also need to run on suspension bridges more, it’s a skill for sure. The heat got to me a bit and I didn’t feel as strong as I thought I should’ve. So hot conditions slowed me a little but still managed 17th overall and 6th in my class (40+ old dudes)..
Bill Leppert ran the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham AL, finishing this race in the time of 1:33:19 which was a PR of 2 minutes.
First race since stress fracture.
Heather Joe ran the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham AL completing this race in the time of 2:08:23 which is 3 minute PR.
I have been injured since 2012 on and off with SI joint/hip issues. I ran my last half marathon limping in 2012 and limped through a marathon in 2013. I have tried to train for races since October 2013 but I have been sidelined over and over and over. Today I finally was able to race a half again. Just crossing the starting line was huge for me. This was the first race I had ever run in my life in 2012. It is a local race and I couldn’t miss it even though my goal race is next month. This was hilly for me being just back in the saddle so a 3 minute PR meant a lot. Not big hills just progressive climbs. Started out great then my left foot went numb for awhile but that resolved. Slowed down on the hills and struggled through the last miles with my hip. My left side always an issue but this was nothing like it has been. It’s so much better and manageable now. I feel very optimistic about my goal race!!!This year I want to get fast!!!!!!!
Bobby Smith ran the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham AL coming with a time of 03:08:23 which is a PR by 2 minutes and 36 seconds.
My #1 priority is to achieve a Boston qualifying time. Today I accomplished that. After improving my marathon time on December 13 by more than 10 minutes, I came very close to the BQ time. I took the advice from RunnersConnect coaches and worked on some weaknesses (hips, calves) and today I was able to run calm, smart and with a lot of joy to accomplish my goal. Boston 2016 here I come!
Kenn Walker ran his first half marathon at the Thrill in the Hills 21K/42K finishing this race in the time of 1:45:09.
Finished second in my age category in my first half marathon; met my time goal.
Mark Quebedeaux ran the Mardi Gras Mambo 10K in Baton Rouge, Louisiana finishing in the time of 50:38 which is PR of 5 minutes.
After suffering with a groin injury, ball of foot issues with both feet and not feeling mentally strong since early December this race felt great. I felt mentally into it, I felt physically well so I was not apprenhensive about running hard. Kept the positive thoughts up and the negative thought at bay when the run got tough. Felt like I did the best effort possible on this race. Still have a few issues with balls of feet but definitely improving. I really wanted to have a good 10k to establish my training base for the next training cycle.
Kim Rankin ran the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K in Tampa, FL completing this distance in the time of 1:59:33.
3 things made this race special
1. It was my first 15k .2. I am trying to get faster(duh) but am still relatively new to managing my pace. I decided since it was my first time at this distance to just run slightly faster than the pace I ran two weeks ago at a half marathon. That would get me a finish time around 2:05. I had a pretty good feeling near the end of the race that not only would I hit this target but there was a chance I could get closer to 2:00. I pushed it at the end and I beat 2:00 by 27 seconds! Plus I felt great at this pace. Makes me confident for my next half in mid March .3. Much of This race course is viewable from a local hospital I was in years ago. While in rehab where I had to relearn how to walk, talk , swallow and use my left side of my body , I looked out my window and watched runners on this road. I decided that one day I would do that. Although I’ve run several 5ks that are a portion of that route , today I ran the length of it twice ( out and back). I got a bit emotional but reeled those feelings in and used it to mentally fuel me the rest of the way . Awesome run in so many ways.
Denise Schwartz ran the Gasparilla half marathon in Tampa, FL finishing this race distance in the time of 2:31.
The race went really well considering I got sick 3 days ago and began coughing this morning. This is the first half marathon I’ve done where I didn’t feel overtrained and exhausted. My only issue was needing 2 bathroom breaks. I’ve been using ucan for my long runs and having a bathroom issue around hour and half each time. I kept hoping I would get used to it as it significantly helps with sugar and electrolyte balancing particularly later in the day when I used to fall apart. So used ucan today. Nutrition overall good except at mile 11 waited a little to long to have carb, lost a minute on my time.
Tony Malinauskas competed in the Sandmine Challenge – Extreme Quad in Crystal City, MO finishing in the time of 1:37:48 which is an event PR of 5 minutes and 11 seconds..
This was my 2nd year running this unique obstacle course race, which is in an underground sand mine. Although I was the 2nd oldest runner among the 40 runners to do the long course (the Extreme Quad is 4 laps through the regular course), I came in 7th place overall.
Johnye Harriman ran the Alamo Run Fest in San Antonio, TX finishing in the time of 1:58:34 which is a PR of 1 minutes 26 seconds.
Cool, misty day; great historic course – and Fort Sam Houston’s main gate was open for the first time in 13 years (since 9/11). Spent the evening prior with a retired Air Force friend who took me restaurant hopping. Probably not the wisest thing the night before a run, but it was grand. So much revival in San Antonio. Felt pretty good race morning. Was shooting to break 2 hours, but wasn’t sure I could do it. Gentle ease in to running, tried to stay around 9:05 pace, but felt pretty strong. Even had a potty break in mile 7. I sped up around 12.5, and felt I could have sped up earlier. Mile 13 was 8:13, and the last tenth of a mile was run inside the AlamoDome. I have no idea how I did on that tenth, but I felt as if I were flying (and, yes, I failed to turn off RunKeeper until I cooled down a bit). Good enough to place first in my age group.
Kate Dochelli ran the Love Rox Half Marathon in Richmond, VA completing this race in the time of 1:25:18.6 which was a 4 second PR and 2nd Place Overall female award.
I was fully intending to use this tune-up race as a simple tempo run in place of my long run for the week. My goal had been to go in, see how I feel, and put in a good effort. I wound up with a PR (by a whooping 4 seconds – yippee!) and a 2nd place overall female finish! It was a tough course – a two loop route filled with long downhills and winding uphills, not to mention the slippery ice and snow! Everyone was challenged by all the ice that caused runners to literally have to stop and walk to avoid slipping and falling. I’m very thankful to not have broken anything! VERY pleased with my performance… couldn’t believe the PR given the conditions and my intention of just going out for a bit of a tempo run! Oh, and then I got to spend the day sipping wine at the post-race Virginia Wine Expo (yes, literally your entry into the race got you a ticket to the expo, which was held at the same location as the race!). Probably not th e best post-run fuel, but a great day overall.
Dominic Worsley raced this Hampton Court Half marathon in Kingston upon Thames coming across the finish line with a time of 1:31;55 which was a PR of 12 seconds.
Really wanted to get under 1:31 so a bit disappointed… But it was not so well organised. They started a 10k first so after about 1/2 mile we came across the stragglers in a very narrow part of the course, trying to get past was a nightmare, and then this continued with lots of twists and turns on narrow paths. This meant I set off too quickly and was constantly speeding up and slowing down. I know I should have just relaxed and gone with the flow, but I didn’t! Managed to focus well from miles 5-10, but then lost pace in the last three miles. Splits were 6:57, 6:52, 6:41, 6:51, 6:44, 6:53, 6:51, 7:01, 7:05, 7:11, 7:25, 7:37, 7:35. Anyway at least it was a PR!! I really do need to learn the lesson about pacing myself, I’ve done the same in my last four races now and I’ve never managed a negative split….
