Topeka to Auburn Half Marathon Results

Good run.

I was reminded of Dean Karnses statement that he never feels so alive as when he is uncomfortable and striving to do his beast. This race was a challenge and I was glad I did it.

Got to Topeka around 945 and picked up the race packet. Nice pair of commemorative socks. Bathroom facilities were sparse so we went to the McDonalds down the street. I met a guy wearing a jersey from one of the prior races.

He said that he had run the race several times and the course was S#$%@@. Hills and gravel. He also passed on that this was the first race he could remember that there was no snow. The other thing he said is that he has a better year when he runs this.

We hung out in the car until five minutes before the race. About 500 started. The race went off at the crack of 11, right on time.

We headed straight south right into the wind. Cold and grey, 19 degrees with a S wind at 9. It felt cold. I listened to the guys around me who were wearing GPS to find out the pace.

Big hills at three and six fight before the half way point. Significant ups the rest of the way. Flew down hill, ran steady uphill and cruised through the flats. Kept pace right around 8:10 for most of the way except on a couple of hills.

One young guy told me: "If the race was all uphill he would be beating me." I told him: "See you on the next up."

Ran negative splits (second half faster than the first half). Felt really strong all through the race.

Finished at 1:48:24 or and 8:16 pace. 142 out of 500 finishers. 16 out of 37 in my age group.

Temp was 23 at the finish.

Good hoodie for finishing. Skipped the breakfast and headed home.

The course wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I almost fell on the transition to gravel. It was kind of a shock. This is a good small race. Didn't do as well as I hoped but OK for the conditions and course.

Already plan on this one for next year...

Topeka to Auburn Half Marathon Race Stategy

So tomorrow I will race my first half marathon.

13.1 miles from Topeka to Auburn, KS. Starts at 11AM. Temp is supposed to be around 28 with an ESE wind at 10 or so. Cold. The course is very hilly with some on gravel country roads.

Goal is to break 1:44 or around 8 minutes a mile.

I will be happy with under 2 hours and ecstatic with under 1:44. I have put the miles in and should be ready.

The plan is to start out about 100 people back from the front of the pack, start slow and keep the pace around 8 minutes a mile. According to the McMillan pacing calculator, I should be able to run around 7:50 miles. That may be pushing it a bit.

More tomorrow after the race...