Another 13.1 miles is done courtesy of the Suntrust National Half Marathon. I didn't have high expectations for the race and the goal was just to motor through. Mission accomplished. Two hours and twenty-two minutes later I was smiling to myself as I crossed the finish line. I was again reminded that I am healthy and alive. Not bad for a Saturday morning.
The first half of the race was spectacular and much faster than I anticipated. As luck would have it, I hooked up with one of the marathon coaches who was aiming for a 10:30/pace for his marathon. As we chatted away we were regularly clocking much faster paces --- a 9 and a couple 10's.
By mile 6 I decided I (or my calves decided for me) that I needed to pull back and as a result my running buddy and I parted ways. I think this may have been a mistake because without someone spurring me along, I started to fade.
As I rounded the turn and headed down North Capital I had vivid memories of my injury at last year's race at this point. As a result, I slowed down and took it easy.
Around mile 10/11 I stopped to stretch my left calf which has been bugging me this season. It wasn't until later that I realized my time on North Capital and stopping to stretch really took much longer than I imagined. Oops!
The good news is that I finished and saw so many runny buddies do the same.
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