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US Air Force Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


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Fairborn, Ohio
United States
US Air Force
Total Time = 2h 46m 11s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

I knew before the race even started that my body wasn’t going to perform to the level I wanted to, so I decided rather than push as hard as I could and be miserable, my number one goal in this race was to have a good time. I didn’t want to cross the finish line totally spent and still disappointed in my performance – I wanted to be happy to have the experience. Friday night, I was watching tv, and saw someone with a Ohio State tattoo on her face and got the idea that would be a fun way to run the race. Husband and I ventured out to the mall in search of temporary tattoos. Mission successful. Started the race with a Block O on one side of my face and Brutus on the other. :)
Event warmup:

Not much - little stretching.....
Run
  • 2h 46m 11s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 41s  min/mile
Comments:

Started the race at the back of the pack with mostly walkers. Even though I started out running, I noticed that I was falling behind some of the walkers and decided it was stupid to expend so much energy just to lose so much ground, so I started walking. Good move on my part. My body relaxed and I had a really comfortable pace going even going up the first large hill, which was about 1.6 miles long. I talked to some people as I went, and then passed them and talked to the next person. My name was printed on my bib, so everytime I went through a water station, volunteers and spectators cheered for me by name. It was incredibly motivating! We finally crested the hill and started downhill, and I started running again. Felt much better this time and it sure helped having the momentum to increase my speed. Passed one guy who I had passed earlier, but he passed me back. We ran together for a little while then started walking on the next uphill section. He became my pacer since he was moving just a little faster than I was comfortable with. Whenever he got too far in front of me, I sped up. I walked through the next water station, and when I looked for the guy, he was probably a quarter mile in front of me. This was at the 4 mile mark, and I never did catch him again, but just the motivation of trying to catch him made my race much faster than it would have been otherwise. He was in my sight until the final two miles, but just far enough ahead that I couldn’t catch him.

I started playing the game of choosing someone in front of me and picking them off. I came upon a group of 10 airmen carrying 45 pound packs, and wearing full uniforms and combat boots. Man, you’ve got to have respect for the guys who finished this race loaded down. It was humbling to have them in front of me to begin with. They would run a few hundred feet and walk a while. One of the guys in formation fell down and a couple others picked the guy up and kept him heading in the right direction. It was pretty amazing. When I got past them, it was my goal not to let them run over me! I started talking to a girl who I had passed half a dozen times. She was stationed in England and the air force gave her permission to take off to run the race. Pretty neat. We passed each other several more times before the finish and laughed with each other every time. I walked through a water stop, talking to volunteers and high-fiving spectators, :) then continued to pick off one person at a time in front of me clear to the very end.

With less than 2 miles left to go, I was very tired and didn’t think I had much more left in me. My right achilles was screaming, my knees were on fire, my left calf felt like it was getting ready to seize up. I didn’t want to pass people then have them pass me back, so I selected carefully. I was walking and contemplating passing a group of four girls when I saw a lady on the sidelines who had already finished the half. She was holding her medal and waving it in front of her, showing it to us. She was yelling at us in her best drill sergeant voice: “You want this? It’s waiting at the finish line! You move those feet and get to the end. You’re almost there, don’t you slow down, you move those feet!” On and on she went, but it was just what I needed to keep moving! I passed the four girls and set my sights on the next person. I turned the corner off the main road and knew I only had two more turns before the finish stretch, probably little more that half a mile. I settled into a slow jog remembering that I wanted a little energy for the final sprint to the finish line. I rounded the corner and heard someone yelling my name – I looked around and it was Scott (wsm9363) and his family. (Thanks Scott, that was terrific!) Then I saw my husband and the video camera. He positioned himself so he could shoot pictures of me running to the finish line.

The finish stretch at this race is simply amazing! You run though 8-10 retired airplanes. This year, they had added the “Hanoi Taxi”, the plane that was used to evacuate POW’s out of Vietnam. They had the plane positioned so you ran under the wing. It was so awesome! They also had a C130, the plane that my husband flew when he was in the air force. I managed to passed a couple more people in the final stretch. I finally crossed the finish line and a General put a medal around my neck. I was so emotional, I couldn’t even see him through my tears. I was so happy to finish the race.

I did so much better than I thought I was able, and I learned that I could push myself farther than I thought possible. I gave the race 100% effort. I couldn’t have done any more than I did. I finished the race feeling so proud knowing that there were no regrets, no what ifs, no I should haves or could haves. I poured everything I had into this race. What a great way to finish the season!
What would you do differently?:

Not a thing! Had a ball!
Post race
Event comments:

Was really disappointed in the post-race party. Last year, everything was free for runners, families, friends, & volunteers. This year they charged for everything, which was a let-down! There was lots of racer goodies, but it's not the same when you can't share and relax with family and friends.




Last updated: 2006-08-28 12:00 AM
Running
02:46:11 | 13.1 miles | 12m 41s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
AVG HR 161 MAX 191 : SPLITS : M1 15:20 Avg HR 151 Max 165 M2 13:33 Avg HR 162 Max 173 M3 12:08 Avg HR 162 Max 191 M4 13:14 Avg HR 161 Max 170 M5 12:26 Avg HR 163 Max 173 M6 11:52 Avg HR 164 Max 178 M7 12:08 Avg HR 167 Max 180 M8 12:28 Avg HR 167 Max 179 M9 13:28 Avg HR 160 Max 170 M10 13:22 Avg HR 165 Max 176 M11 13:00 Avg HR 158 Max 169 M12 12:39 Avg HR 157 Max 171 M13 10:28 Avg HR 164 Max 179
Course: Oh my goodness, the hills!
Keeping cool Good Drinking Not enough
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Below average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2006-09-17 6:35 PM

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Master
1397
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Granvile, Ohio
Subject: US Air Force Half Marathon


2006-09-17 6:36 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Master
1397
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Granvile, Ohio
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon
2006-09-17 6:56 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Extreme Veteran
1491
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northeast Ohio
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon
Very cool RR, T!  Congratulations on your race!  How wonderfully emotional at the end!  I was grinning from ear to ear reading your report!
2006-09-17 6:56 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Extreme Veteran
1491
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northeast Ohio
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon

How the heck did I double post?  LOL! 



Edited by drdi 2006-09-17 6:56 PM
2006-09-17 7:42 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Extreme Veteran
413
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Clayton/Raleigh, North Carolina
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon
That was such an awesome race report! I'm so glad you had such a good time there! You did an awesome job. Don't forget to stretch good!! And take a hot bath.
2006-09-17 7:51 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Pro
4228
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon
woo hoo!  Nice job on the race!  Sounds like a good time!


2006-09-17 10:09 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Expert
1092
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Earth
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon

Great race, I can understand about your body just wanting to quit.

I was up by the play ground because I figured my family would have been there (they weren't) I finally sound them after you finished while looking for you.

I didn't have any problem with them charging for my family.  Heck the entry fee was lots less than I walked away with, those finisher medals are like 15-20 bucks a pop, plus a nice t-shirt, socks, shoe laces (not that I need them).  All the drinks, gels, etc.. and they make any money doing this?

2006-09-17 10:13 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Elite
3488
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Lakewood, CO
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon
Great job Tammy, way to decide to go out and have fun and actually do it.Laughing  Sounds like a good end to the season.   What a fun report.
2006-09-17 10:46 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Champion
19812
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MA
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon

Congrats on a great race!

I love how you share your mental struggles and how you overcame adveristy to go on and finish strong.

Great way to end the season..you rocked it!

2006-09-18 7:45 AM
in reply to: #543832

Extreme Veteran
340
10010010025
Cary, NC
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon

That was one of the best race reports ever! I'm so proud of you, and happy you had an absolutely positive experience! Does't that target-someone-to-hunt-down technique work pretty well? It gives you nice short term goals that make you focus, and before you know it, you're done with the race! Way to go... can't wait to see what next season has in store for you!!!!!!!!!!

2006-09-18 8:14 AM
in reply to: #543832

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Expert
931
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Smyrna, GA
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon
Yay for you!  Great job on the race.  Sounds like you had the right attitude.


2006-09-18 9:22 AM
in reply to: #543832

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Elite
2421
2000100100100100
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon

Power to ya, sorry I missed ya out there.

bts

2006-09-18 9:03 PM
in reply to: #543832

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Master
1201
1000100100
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Subject: RE: US Air Force Half Marathon
Great race report -- and of course great race! I'm so glad you went out there an really enjoyed yourself! That sounds like such a fun race to do!
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