Race #176
Half Marathon #63
2019 Race #20
2019 Half Marathon #12
South Carolina Half Marathon #46
Hartness Half Marathon #1

My training plan had several miles at a much faster pace sandwiched into the rest of the miles. I thought that I would try to do that at this race but I did not make a firm plan since this race took place on a cross country course that I knew nothing about so I did not know if I would be able to hold that pace on this course. *spoiler alert* I could not.

We had quite cold weather in the morning so I bundled up in long sleeves, gloves and a headband over my ears. Yes, that is bundling up for me.

I arrived at the race start with about fifteen minutes to spare, enough time to get my bib, return the shirt to my car, pin on the bib, and get to the starting line.

The course consisted of two exact loops passing under the finish line at the end of both loops. I attempted to think about the course in detail so I could write a detailed entry.

I started off at what I felt was a reasonable pace. I eschewed the original plan and decided to aim simply for sub 9 minute miles for the race. All I knew about the course was that it held most of the types of course possible, grass, single track, hard packed gravel, and pavement.

Turns out, the single track trail was a little bit harder for me than I expected. I do much better on pavement than trail. Several people passed me through these miles. I knew I wouldn’t be last but…

I did end up feeling much better when we got back onto the pavement. I actually pulled my phone out at one point to take a picture. It looked so beautiful.

After this section we moved back into a trail section which, again, I do not excel in so a few people passed me back.

Several hills along the way slowed me down but the open area helped me pick up the pace again. About a mile and a half from the finish line we could hear the speaker at the finish line. I did not mind since the terrain was easy and looked beautiful.

When I crossed the finish line, the announcer said what he thought was y name. “en-u-ahn” I really do not know why it’s so hard to say the name. Anyway…

The second loop went quicker than the first, mentally at least. I knew what lay ahead and could break it into sections. I also managed to run it a little faster than the first half even though one final little hill almost broke me mentally so I walked a little which kept me, I think, from coming in under 2 hours. On a course like this though, I will take that time.

Next week though? I plan to run a little faster. 🙂