As most of you know, I had been training for the 10th Annual B.A.A. Half Marathon. I had the chance to run with 4,550 other runners on Sunday, October 10, 2010. Yes, I ran the race on 10/10/10. Not sure if that has any significance. But, it is a cool date nevertheless.This year’s race was run on a new course. It started out in Franklin Park and then headed out to wind its way through the City of Boston and Brookline’s Emerald Necklace park system. Here is how the B.A.A. describes the course:
“The 13.1-mile, rolling course is an out-and-back route that runs along the Emerald Necklace park system. For the first time, the B.A.A. Half Marathon will begin and end at White Stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park. The park, one of the oldest in America, is located in Boston’s Jamaica Plain and Dorchester neighborhoods. With a start on Pierpont Road, the course proceeds out of Franklin Park, over the Monsignor William Casey Overpass, and past the Arnold Arboretum and Jamaica Pond as The Arborway becomes The Jamaicaway. The course then passes Willow Pond and Olmsted Park, before the turn-around-point on The Riverway 4.75 miles into the race. On the return, runners hug the western side of the Emerald Necklace, with Leverett Pond, and Jamaica Pond now on the left. The race re-enters Franklin Park and loops around animal enclosures in the Franklin Park Zoo, before finishing on the track in White Stadium.”
I got to the starting line area about 7:30 am for the 8:30 am start time. It was pretty cold while standing around waiting for the chance to go over to the corrals for the start of the race. I was dressed enough to keep me warm but not too heavily that I would have to shed layers during the race. I do have to say that the sun being out did help keep me warm. I was surprised at how many runners were just in shorts and singlets. I guess the Californian in me just couldn’t handle that level of dress in 40 degree weather. Even though I have lived here in Boston for 6 years now, my blood is still not that thick.
We lined up at 8:25 am and after listening to the National Anthem were off right at 8:30. The horn blew and we headed out. I had set my goal for this race at 1:51:21 (8:30 per mile pace). My stretch goal was to run it in 1:44:48 (8:00 per mile pace). The starting mile was pretty crowded and I did not finish the first mile until 9:16. I was off my goal pace already. But, I didn’t sweat it. I just picked my way through the crowd and gradually did settle into an 8:30 per mile pace. Based on the crowds, I gave up on my stretch goal by the time I reached the 5 mile mark in 42:19 (8:28 per mile).
I will tell you that I did not really prepare myself for the race in one major category – knowing the course and its elevation changes. I was lulled into a false sense of security by the downhill at the start and the low rolling hills during the first 5 miles. I did not know what was ahead and it would cost me in the later miles of the race. Note to self – check the course profile in more detail in the future.
The next 5 miles had a series of slightly tougher hills. I could feel myself starting to fade a little bit. But, I told myself that I would be able to hold the pace. I was not feeling particularly fatigued. My legs were feeling pretty good despite the constant up and down on the course. I tried to keep my pace at 8:30 per mile and crossed the 10 mile mark at 1:25:29 (8:33 per mile). I felt like I could still hit my goal of 1:51:21 at this point. Little did I know what was ahead.
The last 5K of this new course is uphill most of the way. If I had been better prepared mentally, I don’t think I would have struggled as much in that last push to the finish line. I tried my best to keep up my pace as I headed down the hill from mile 10. I was thinking it would be fairly flat on the way to White Stadium. Instead, I was greeted with a long uphill portion from mile 11 to 12 to the entrance to the Franklin Park Zoo. As much as I wanted to, I could not hold my pace. I pushed on trying valiantly to stay on pace to hit my goal.When I came out of the park and only had about 2/10 of a mile to go, I looked at my Garmin and realized that I had already hit 1:51:00 and would not reach my goal. I admit I was a bit disappointed. There was really nothing I could do about it. I crossed the finish line at 1:53:44 which was an 8:41 per mile pace. As I walked over to the recovery area to grab a bagel and some water, I knew the biggest problem in not being able to meet my goal was not knowing the course.
When I got home and loaded my Garmin data into my Running Log, I noticed that according to the satellites the course was actually 13.3 miles long. This meant that I actually had run the race at an 8:33 per mile pace according to the Garmin. Nevertheless, the official results are in and posted. I finished the 10th Annual B.A.A. Half Marathon in:
• 1636 Place out of 4,498 runners who finished (top 1/3)
• 125/230 Place in Males 45-49 (A little below the 1/2 way point)
• 5 mile - 42:19 (8:28 pace)
• 10 mile - 1:25:29 (8:33 pace)
• 13.1 mile - 1:53:44 (8:41 pace)
In retrospect, I have to say it was a beautiful course to run. I couldn’t have asked for a better weather day. And despite not reaching my goal, I had a really good time. I am not sure if I will run it again next year. Not because I am not interested in beating the course but because I had to miss Parents Weekend at Tulane this year due to the dates overlapping. I would recommend this race to anyone who has run a few half marathons in the past. I don’t think it is a good course or race to initiate you into the world of long distance racing. It is a little too difficult for a beginner.
Now what race should I be looking at for the spring?
Here are my totals for this week:
Sept. 19 – 14.10 miles (2:10:17, 9:15 pace)
Sept. 20 – 6.10 miles (57:46, 9:28 pace)
Sept. 21 – 8.30 miles (1:09:44, 8:24 pace) – Tempo Run
Sept. 23 – 9.00 miles (1:21:46, 9:00 pace)
Sept. 24 – 10.10 miles (1:37:16, 9:38 pace)
Sept. 25 – 10.10 miles (1:34:10, 9:20 pace)
Sept. 27 – 8.10 miles (1:18:54, 9:24 pace)
Sept. 28 – 8.30 miles (1:09:48, 8:35 pace)
Sept. 30 – 10.10 miles (1:25:08, 8:26 pace) – Tempo Run
Oct. 1 – 7.10 miles (1:11:36, 10:05 pace)
Oct. 2 – 8.10 miles (1:12:28, 8:57 pace)
Oct. 3 – 8.00 miles (1:17:18, 9:40 pace)
Oct. 4 – 6.30 miles (58:58, 9:22 pace)
Oct. 5 – 5.10 miles (45:57, 9:01pace)
Oct. 6 – 6.10 miles (57:45, 9:28 pace)
Oct. 8 – 6.20 miles (53:45, 8:40 pace)
Total Miles: 131.10 miles
2010 YTD Miles: 1,403.30 miles
