Hey so tomorrow: get focused and let’s be open to having an awesome run – even if you start out sluggish.  The most important part about tomorrow is that you run a strong effort on some tired legs.  The actual pace may very from what’s “prescribed”.  It will be a vary challenging run, but look at what you’re training for – a 26 mile RACE.  So, this needs to be tough.  Stay present! If your mind starts to wander into the future, simply acknowledge and come back to present.  Run the mile you’re in. Now go kick some butt tomorrow!!”

Those were the words from coach before running the Syracuse Half Marathon one week after I ran TCSNYC marathon.  I didn’t think it would be possible for me to break a 9 minute pace. Even though NYC was a slower paced marathon, a training run, I was tired and feeling burned out.  The plan was a 17 mile run that went something like this:  2 mile warm up, 14 miles at 8:30 – 8:20 pace and a 1 mile cool down.  I didn’t have faith that I could hold an 8:30 for 14 miles by running solo so I signed up for this half marathon.

The Syracuse Half Marathon used to be held in March-April.  There were more years than not when the weather was just terrible.  The last time I ran it, April 3, 2016 there were snow squalls, wind, and a complete white out during the run. Then they changed the race to November so I didn’t run in 2017.  With memories still somewhat fresh from 2016, I wouldn’t have run this year but thought it would prove better for me to run a race to meet my goal pace than slug it out alone. Once again, the weather was questionable. It was snowing when I set out for a 4 mile warm up at home.  The roads were a bit slick but manageable for a quick warm up.  Ted and I left the house at 5:50 to get parking at the On Center.   We arrived about 7:15 am to park which was a lot easier than I remembered.  However, once in the On Center, there was the ever challenging toilet line.  It was long and I left Ted upstairs.  Didn’t see him again until I was lined up at the start.

The snow had subsided to mere flurries in the air. It was cold but minimal wind. I wore my TCSNYC marathon tights, sports bra with a long sleeve over the top and a jacket, glove, visor with thick head band.  I dressed perfect for the conditions.  Sneakers were my Nike Boost and my feet hurt by the end of the race. Not much forefoot padding.

I had a good run, felt good most of the way.  Got a  little tired but didn’t feel the need to walk.  Finished in 1:49:24, an 8:22 pace.  Not as good as I would have liked but then thinking about it, I’m ok with my excuses: coming off a marathon one week earlier and staying in the prescribed pace range.  4th in my age group.

At about the 1 ½ mile mark there were two guys who appeared naked except for cardboard boxes covering their middle.  Crazy!  The spectators in general were good. There isn’t a lot of people cheering outside on a cold day but enough and the support stations were excellent.  The course is rolling. Some years it feels like there are more up hills than down and then vice versa. Guess it depends on training.  When I heard my name as I crossed the finish line, a HUGE ass smile crossed my face. So glad to be finished yet wondering how I would run a full marathon in 4 weeks.  Like the coach said, “stay present…”.

Just a word about this race.  Apart from usually lousy weather (at least when I run it), it is very well organized, really caters to the runner, excellent, in fact THE BEST race shirts, and nice medals.

If anyone is looking for a good cold weather half to run, opt for this one. Thumbs up!

Joanne

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