2:10:38

Last Sunday, i ran the Modesto Half Marathon with a time of 2:10:38.

Although i didn't do it as an "incidental runner," like i did with the Great Aloha Race 2 years ago, it was close.  Not having run a real half marathon this training cycle like i did with last year's Giants Race, i was itching to do a "trial run" to rehearse my marathon strategy for Big Sur.  This was the only one that fit my schedule, so i signed up for it.  It just happened to fall on my birthday.

42!  My age, not the temperature (close, though). 

It looks like i'm getting faster.  If i'm being completely honest, this wasn't exactly "just another training run." Not that i really had anything to prove (after all, i didn't fully prepare: no taper or legitimate carbo-load), but i just wanted to see how far i've come since my last "real" half two years ago (more about that below).  So, after i crossed the starting line, i ran the first two miles exactly the way i plan to run my next marathon: 3:1 run-walk-run ratio with an average pace of 10:30.  So far, so good.

However, i felt so good around four miles in (when my pace dropped to 11:30 because of a bathroom break) that i decided to just run-jog the 3:1 ratio (9:00-9:30 pace run, 12:00 pace jog) the rest of the way.  Incredibly, i felt great!  My breathing and heart rate were well-regulated to the end, i never got close to bonking despite only having one gel the entire race, and had enough gas in the tank for an 8:57 mile heading to the finish line, eventually ending up with a negative split.  In spite of (or because of) all that, i estimate that i ran this with "only" 7/10 intensity.

Progress!  Not as fast as the glory days of 10 years ago, but slowly getting there.  Now, do i really want to run a race at higher than 7/10 intensity?  Probably not, unless i was seriously trying to BQ, or wasn't interested in running until i was 70 years old (which i am).  I know what it's like to go all-out but run out of gas at the end; it's not a good feeling.

By the way, I FORGOT MY CAMELBAK AT HOME.  This is both the most tragic AND the most hilarious thing i've ever done at a race.  Considering that i was planning on running it semi-seriously, this could have been a fatal error.  In the final analysis, i don't know if it hurt or actually helped me - i was more mindful of my effort level (since i couldn't hydrate or fuel up just whenever i wanted), ran 3 pounds lighter than i normally do, and didn't have to deal with the discomfort of the backpack (I don't care how light that sucker is, it's not natural).

Race day notes:

1.  The weather was perfect. starting out at 47 degrees and ending up in the mid 50s.

2.  Between all the races (5K, half and full marathons, and relay), there were about 2600 runners in total.  The starting line was not crowded at all...  In fact, Gianina and Adrian stayed with me almost until the moment i started running.   I would say that there were enough runners to make it interesting, but not enough to have to jockey for position.  Also, there was ample parking close to the start.

At the starting line, sporting my NYC Marathon poncho.

That poncho IS rather nice.

Not much of a crowd.  No one kicking the back of your feet!

3.  The course was essentially flat, except for a short segment about 3 miles in when you had to go over "Mt. Modesto" - an overpass over highway 99, with an alleged elevation gain of a little over 100 feet.  Flat is good, especially when i (eventually/maybe) try to break my PRs.

Around 6 miles in, feeling lighter after a bathroom break. 

4.  Considering how small the race is, the swag is pretty sweet.  The entry fee came with a decent duffel bag, and the medal was pretty hefty.

5.  I enjoyed the overall experience.  There wasn't much of a view (for the half, at least, you run through a neighborhood, then on the frontage road between highway 99 and some orchards, then through a road going across some farmland), but the race organization was superb.  The course was clearly labeled.  The roads were all closed.  There was enough hydration.  The volunteers were very enthusiastic.  I would definitely run it again.

6.  The post-run meal/snack included chicken burritos.

Close to the end.

Almost there.  Note the wet spot on my butt.  Peace!  

Done!  Where 'dem burritos at?!

 Another half in the books.  For comparison, my last "real" half was the San Francisco Half Marathon in 2017 (2:13:34).  I never got around to posting about that.  But for what it's worth, i actually tried to do well on it, had legs of rubber by the end, and was sore for a week afterward.  Meaning, despite being two years older, i can now run 13.1 faster without trying as hard.

I'll take it.