St.Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K - RunHalf Marathon

I'd planned to run between 8:10 and 8:15 per mile, depending on the weather and how I felt, so I lined up just ahead of the 1:50 pace marker. People took off pretty fast, so I had a lot of people passing me but I managed to control my pace and the first 2 miles were right around 8:10. I was feeling pretty comfortable at that point, so I looked for someone to pace off of, and chose the wrong guy. The next few miles were too fast, in the low 7:50s, until he faded around mile 5. I got back on goal pace for a couple of miles, but then got a little cocky with 10k to go and picked up the pace again. I paid the price on miles 11 and 12, when I started dragging along at about 8:30ish. The last mile started with a nice downhill and then a flat stretch across the reservoir to the finish, so I managed to get back on pace and finish strong. I don't think my sloppy pacing cost me much on my overall time, which was a little faster than my more optimistic goal, but it made the last 5k more painful than it had to be.

Better pacing.

Stretching while waiting in the massage line. The line didn't look very long, but they didn't skimp on the massages, so an hour later I was still waiting in line and starting to get cold since I hadn't picked up my gear bag yet. It was worth it, though, and the massage tent was right next to the band.


I need to improve my endurance and pacing.


The race was well run, with plenty of cheerful volunteers and everything timed just right. The line for the shuttles back to the parking area looked long, but it moved so quickly you never actually had to stand and wait, just stroll along to your ride. The setting was nice enough, with rolling hills through neighborhoods and along the reservoir. There were some fun bands, and spectators hanging out in their driveways and on street corners, cheering us on. The best part was that the local schools participated, so there a bunch of kids running in both the half and the 5k. The kids in the half wore shirts that said, "Anyone can run 100m. It's the next 21,000 that are hard!" Kudos to the kids and to the parents, teachers, and administrators who supported them!