Jason Sonnek ran the Get Lucky Half Marathon and finished the distance in the time of 1:22:05.
Not technically a personal record, but definitely the best half marathon I’ve ever run. Temp was 50 and sunny with light winds. The start was too narrow and the first “mile” was 1.1+ miles long, so it didn’t start off well (split: 7:04). After that, I settled into my groove and clicked off six miles in the 6:15 – 6:25 range. I felt good at the turnaround, but knew miles 11-12 featured long, steady climbs, so I held the pace at about 6:15/mi to mile 9, then gave it all I had left. Crushed the last 4.1 miles: splits of 6:04, 6:00, 5:57, 6:00, and 0:34; I almost broke 18:30 for the last 5K in a half marathon! Finish time of 1:22:05, which is a measly 3 seconds outside my PR. I still consider this my best half ever because it was long — Garmin says 1:21:27 for 13.1 — and it was an out-and-back rolling course, whereas my 1:22:02 was run on a point-to-point course with a net elevation loss of 400ft. Oh, and top 10 finish (860 finishers)! As always, a big shout out to the Runners Connect coaches and community; you’ve helped me to become a far better runner than I thought possible!
Nicola Tortora ran the Roma-Ostia Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:34, which was a PR by 1 minute.
Run the Rome Half Marathon as a tune up race in preparation for a spring Full marathon! This is the most ecological and probably painful way to get from downtown Rome to the beach in Ostia. The weather was cloudy but warm with some wind and two hills in the middle of the journey.
There were over 10.000 people participating to the race and I did finish it with my new PR of 1h 34 min which is 1 minute faster than my previous one set in December in a flat HM. As my usual, I suffered a bit going up the hill at about Km 11 and when the 1h35 pace makers passed me (this was the time of my previous PB!) I promised myself I would go as fast as I can on the down hill and over take them. I did it and was able to keep those scary blue balloon on my back. I enjoyed anyway the race all the way through because of the weather and the nice people running all around me…and a good number also behind me 🙂
Brandon Tuss ran the Tobacco Road Marathon and finished in a time of 4:24:07, which was a PR!
This was my first marathon ever so I have much to take away from it. I had a specific time goal in mind and didn’t quite hit it, which was disappointing, but it a great learning experience I can take with me and build upon for the next time I tackle this distance. The race course atmosphere was incredible and the path was beautiful. I ran out of gas toward the end, but finished moving forward with a smile on my face!
Jon Daniells ran the Shamrock N Half Marathon and finished with a time of 2:00:13.
April Palmer ran the Legal beagle 5K, finishing this distance in the time of 26:49.
This is a very flat and fast course with a lot of pot holes. I was off my PR by 2 min and last years time by 1 min but I am still trying to get my speed by up. I started the race slow than sped up the first half mile and started picking off runners. The second mile I began to race with one of my speedy friends which cost me energy for the third mile and blew my negative splits. Lesson learned was to hold back on the second mile and if I want to pass a fast friend to hang back till the end then put in the kick.
Julia Labovsky ran the RocknRoll DC Half Marathon and finished in 1:47:51.
It turned out to be a beautiful day to run around our nation’s capital, so I ran it for fun, even though I hadn’t trained to race it. I last ran this course in 2013, and improved by 5 minutes this time. It was great being out there.
Fabio Barbalace ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and finished this race event in the time of 4:37:41. This was a massive PR by 30 minutes.
Right before moving in the US, six years ago, I was training for my marathon debut in Rome with an estimated finish time of 3:40. 3 years later, I was 75 pounds overweight, and my last run was in 2011.
Discouraged and upset about the sudden change in my body and lifestyle, I started back running by walking the USATF 12K Championship. Weight and several minor injures tried to set me back, but with deep motivation and commitment, less than two years later, I ran my first marathon in 5:07:11, by walking and running. What makes this race so special is the journey. My first run three years ago I could not run more than 100 yds without heavy panting, and three years later I ran my marathon PR after only three months of training with Runners Connect. The support of the coaches and the running community was vital and extremely supporting, especially in times of discouragement. I ran a 30 minute PR on a hilly course and after only five months from my first one. No one can take this away from me, and even if there is more that needs to be done, I see my journey to be a Boston Qualifier with more energy and optimism than ever. See you there Boston!
Angel C ran the Shamrock Scurry 5k and finished in a time of 37:34.
Fun to get back into a 5k race. Super hilly terrain – definitely a workout!
Brian Bigelow ran a Marathon in Cary, North Carolina and finished the distance in the time of 4:18:18.
It was my 60th birthday and it went great for 18 then the floor fell out. Was only my 2nd marathon, the last was 7 years ago! Not ending on this one, that’s for sure, gig, Brian
Jeff Wettig ran the Heart Half Marathon and finished with a time of 2:03:15.
This race is full of inclines and declines, and a couple big steep hills. They change up the course a tad each year, just to monkey with us, and this year threw in a .25 mile very steep off-shoot that no one was expecting! All is good, tho.
So, overall I was feeling ok and was able to finish strong, but was not able to handle the hills so consequently I dragged just about the entire race. Hills are nothing new to us, just didn’t handle them well today. Coming off 2 recent big PR’s, I was expecting to repeat in this race. I don’t discount that my head played some games with me on this one.
San Lord ran the St Paddy’s Day Run Half Marathon with a finishing time of 1:42:29.
My half marathon pr is 1:37:26 on rolling hills course loop. This race, I wanted to practice marathon pace and my fueling strategy. I wanted to make sure I can run through the aid stations while handling the cups and gel packet. It went smoothly. The race course was hillier than expected, but I only ran 8 minute pace for one of the hills. The rest of my splits regardless of hill or flat, was around 7:40-7:55 pace. 562 half marathon runners total, 48 overall, 17 gender, 4th in division. I ended getting a division place ribbon.
David Sheehy ran the Washington DC Rock and Roll Marathon in 3:29:26, which was a PR!
This was my first marathon. I’d been training hard for a few months after doing my first half-marathon in November. I’d decided I was ready to tackle a full and did! In addition to finishing, I’d really hoped to finish in under 3:30 – and I just made it! It was such an exhilirating experience. It was really intense to push yourself physically and mentally!
Ralph Pillinger ran the Sarasota First Watch Half Marathon and finished the distance in the time of 1:41:39. This was a PR by 13 seconds.
Hot and humid, less than ideal conditions and still PR’d
Patrick Callahan ran the Pacers Four Courts Four Miler and finished with a time of 42:47. This was a new personal record by 4:19.
Instead of my scheduled 5m easy I decided I wanted to test myself by running a four miler again. I also wanted to hit the pavement because I am mainly a tm runner due to neighborhood and work schedule. I ran my first race, also a four miler, about 10 weeks ago and in a short time was able to improve my time by 4:19. Last July I was obese, 5 foot 7 and 220+ lbs, I started walking, then run/walk (C210K), and eventually ended up on RC after reading some of Jeff’s articles and trying to figure this out on my own. Through exercise, eating less, and eating better I have dropped 45 lbs. My goal this year is to stay healthy and move from the back of the pack to the middle.
Geoff Hablow ran the Celebrate Life Half Marathon and finished this race in the time of 1:55:39.
Wow, what a race. I had no expectations going into this race just wanted to enjoy it. I focused on consistent pace, form and ran by effort. Did not look at watch once (although they did have timers at each mile). My splits where within 22 seconds of each other with the slower pace on the hills. Really happy with the consistent pace and strong finished. Last .2 was 6:18m/pace and even hit 5:53. Whoa, crazy for me at the finish.
Haven’t calculated but looks like I did negative splits which was another goal. Simply feels good to run for the sake of running!
Carmen López-Acevedo ran the Carrera De Bomberos Madrid 10k and finished in a time of 54:51, which was a PR by 2:34 minutes.
I was nervous as it was the first race on my own, as hubby laid up with ITBS, although he came with me to cheer me on. We arrived early so went to a coffee shop, and I made a mistake of having an espresso 20 minutes before the start. The first 5km were uphill and HARD, mainly because the coffee gave me heartburn and I thought I was going to be sick. I did 9m 1m run walk and I trailed behind the 55min pacers and at km 3 had to say goodbye to them. Finally at km 6 the course became downhill and I picked up speed and felt better and managed to catch up the pacers at km 9! They were so nice, cheering me on and high fiving everyone who passed them. Crossed the finish at 54:51, amazing result for me and it shows how incredible the RC training has been, my previous PR was 57:25, but my last 10km in December I only managed 59:40.
Tyler Fields ran the Leap for Life 5K/10K and finished this race in the time of 01:12:45, which was a PR!
It was my first 10K and it was hard!!!!! The race was completely filled with rolling hills and it was rough! but I finished strong and then laid down at the finish line! 🙂
