I also think that I am generally better suited to run marathons than I am to run shorter distances. Even though this may not be an entirely fair statement, as I have not really specifically trained very well for halfs in two years. The last two half marathons have been about seven weeks after I ran a - successful - marathon. Last year in November in Seattle after the early October Victoria Marathon, and today the VSHM after the Vancouver Marathon on May 7.
My time today was 1:46:18 which is exactly 23 seconds slower than my previous personal best time of 1:45:55 - also at the VSHM in 2004. By which time I had not done any full marathons yet, and trained (as it were) specifically for the half distance.
My dream goal today was 1:40. Achieving this would have given me a huge amount of confidence that I can do a 3:30 full marathon in the Fall. This in turn would put me on the right track to get a Boston qualifying time of 3:20 next year in the Fall. But never mind that now... My real goal - the one I set my paceband to - was 1:42. And finally my "C" goal was beating my previous personal best. Well, I managed none of them... and this really pisses me off!
In the end I can not blame much more than my own inability. I was well rested, felt good, was ready and keen to go, and yet... Well, I think I could blame the heat and the proximity to my last marathon, but that seems a little lame. So, I'll just have to work a little harder on my shorter distances. More speedwork and less bitchin' when I do do speedwork. SUCK IT UP PRINCESS!!
So here now a some positive words about the half today:
- The weather was absolutely gorgeous!
- Lots of cheering people out on the course for support.
- It is still the most scenic Half I can possibly imagine. From UBC down to Second Beach.
- It is still (and I am so going to get in trouble with my wife for this who I know sometimes reads these postings) the one race in Vancouver with absolutely the greatest number of stunningly beautiful young women in it -- and that makes any run so much more enjoyable. (Though after about 10k I couldn't care less even if Claudia Schiffer was to be running naked in front of me.)
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