Dallas Whiterock Half Marathon

December 10, 2006

9:00 AM

Start, downtown Dallas at the American Airlines Center.

Out and back.

Start Temp, low 40’s, predicted high of 56, overcast, 10-15 MPH S/SE winds, possible showers.

Bib – 9014

Age - 53

I ran the Tulsa Rte. 66 Marathon on November 19^th and planned on following it with the Dallas Whiterock Half Marathon but right leg and hip pains bothered me during the last few miles so I wasn’t sure if I could take the risk of running this race since I am getting ready to train for Boston 2007.

My right would really talk back to me somewhere after mile 5. Over the last few weeks it appeared that I could run longer without discomfort.

So on Friday, December 8, I decided to run the race. I went to Dallas Saturday morning at 9:00 AM, registered, bought new shoes (20% off) and some Thorlo’s socks (2 for 1).

I was back in Ardmore by noon.

On Sunday I was up at 4:00 AM and out heading toward Dallas at 4:45. I have run Whiterock every year since 1999 (my first marathon) and this is the first time I did not stay at the sponsoring Hotel.

I arrived at the AA center at 6:40 AM just before the traffic started accumulating.

It was a cold mid 40’s. After numerous trips back and forth from my truck to the center I decided to wear my “The Half” technical long sleeve blue shirt. The rest of my attire was my 26.2 Dallas hat, red Asics 2010’s, red ear band, new thorlo’s socks.

My plan was to start at MP of 7:50 - 8/mile and immediately make pace adjustments if my leg began to bother me. My goal was to finish pain free.

The gun went off and I immediately ran too fast.

Mile 1 – 7:50, feeling good but I am not sure if I went out too fast.

Mile 2 - 7:50, still feeling good, and pleased that my legs remember MP

Mile 3 - 7:43, slightly fast and starting the uphill climb

Mile 4 - 7:59, all systems are still a go, climbing. I wonder if the hills will aggravate my right leg.

Mile 5 - 8:03, hum, I begin to accelerate and my right hamstring begins to tighten, so I begin to vary my pace, slow fast, slow fast, etc.

Mile 6 - 7:58, hamstring is feeling good again as we turn into the wind for a few miles.

Mile 7 - 7:52, still nursing the hamstring.

Mile 8 - 7:52, more wind, as I look down the road I can see where we will turn onto Swiss Ave….I see the marathoners running a VERY swift pace, these are the sub 3 marathoners.

Mile 9 - 7:53, yes, no more wind. I still am varying my pace as the hamstring twinges every now and then, BUT NO Leg pain (like Tulsa) so far. I sure hope I can make it to 13 this way.

Mile 10 – 8:01, I am still holding an excellent pace as we head down the slight grade on Swiss Avenue.

Mile 11 – 8:32, Hum, it felt faster than 8:32, so I try to pick it up.

Mile 12 – 7:19, Hum, don’t think I ran a 7:15, legs feel GREAT, except for the hamstring still twinging.

Mile 13 – 8:16, man looks like I may make this race without hip/leg pain….YES…

Mile 13.1 – I stretch it out the last few blocks to a great finish.

Final stats.

Overall – 461

Div/Pl – 29/199

Sex/Pl – 379/2075

Finish Time – 1:43:29

Pace – 7:54

Gun Time – 1:43:47

My best Half was at last years Whiterock Half Marathon, 1:39:24.

I was very pleased to have finished this race without the problems I had been experiencing since the Rte. 66 marathon, and I maintained MP.

I might have run this slightly faster if my goal had been different, but I doubt I would have PR’d so soon after running a marathon.

I feel I can start getting ready for Boston now; however I will ramp up my training a bit slower than normal for me.

I really enjoy this race (they can still make some improvements) and highly recommend it.

It would be a great Boomer Reunion site.

The race is a lot of fun but it is extra special when you can share it with friends as was the case on Sunday.

Ribs, thank for introducing me to so many of your friends and Hally it was a pleasure to meet you and I surely wish we had more time to get to know each other.

Rose and RS, maybe next time.