Colchester Half Marathon

Today I got out for the first half marathon of the year. I had not raced this course yet and all talk pre-race was about the hills. I passed it off since people generally think every course is hilly. I didn't have a ton of expectations going into the race just wanted a solid result and knock off some rust. Well I certainly knocked off some rust. Temps were perfect despite the biting headwind for most of the race. The real challenge was the damn hills. My runs and rides are always hilly but this was tough especially so early in the year.

This is the first race I didn't worry about HR and just went on RPE. Pretty different experience and I realized hom much I've come to love HR tracking as way not to blow myself up. I got out quick the first two miles to break free of the crowds. I ran the first 5k in 21 and was holding flat 7 minute miles through mile 5. I was impressed I was able to hold 7s over the first couple of hills and quick looks down at the watch showed I was tracking around 170 for a HR. At mile 8 it felt like the course went straight up. My calf twinged a bit and I thought I might be walking the last 5 but it quickly worked the pain out plus the burning legs took my mind of the calf. At mile 9 it was a long downhill where I made up some time and then it rolled for the next two miles on dirt/muddy roads. Beautiful course btw.

Turning the corner back on to the main road and last 2.1 miles I was planning on dropping the hammer and trying to lay down 6:30s. Problem was it was a long step climber to the finish. With no mile markers it's hard to say what I was putting down but it felt like a little under 7s and I was working. The last 1/4 mile flattened out finally and I was able to crank it up some. I was hoping for a time in the 1:20s but crossed the finish in 1 hour 33 minutes. Good for 36th overall.

Summary:
I underestimated the course profile, but I'll say it's probably the hardest I've worked over the course of 13.1. Going on RPE was a new experience. I recovered well after the three steep climbs and cruised the downhills. It's a new PR for me at this distance even though I hoped for a slightly better time maybe 1:28, but I'll take it. To be able to hold 7:08 miles over the course of this race impressed me the most, especially on broken down legs. To go out hard an sustain that effort, and to see my HR in the upper stratosphere and not implode was also a positive sign.

Results here