today i ran my 5th half marathon. my training schedule has a week that calls for 15 miles with 12 miles goal pace as a long run, so this works well to stick a half marathon in. i was really excited for this race. training has been going well and i felt confident that i could PR (1:48:14), by how much was my question. my tempo runs have been rocking and my long runs have been going really well, so i wasn’t really sure where to set a goal at. i decided to just get out there and run to see what i could do.
we planned on driving to the race in sacramento the morning of, and technically you could pick up your bibs race morning but that made me a little nervous. luckily i have the best husband ever who drove over to pick them up while i spent a wonderful girl shopping day with my mom. chris was signed up for this race too, but has been dealing with some very painful shins and foot, so it was going to be a race morning decision for him. when i saw my bib was #323 i was really excited. i am always happy when i have a 3 in my bib number and i just really liked this one! after a long day of shopping, i ate a big bowl of pasta, relaxed, iced and rolled and went to bed early.
race morning the alarm went off at 5am and within a couple minutes i was up in race mode. i drank my cup of coffee and ate my english muffin with peanut butter. my stomach was pretty anxious, so i could only get 1/2 a banana down, but it was something. about an hour later we were on the road.
logistically this was one of the easiest races i have ever been to. the drive to sac was really easy and we made it to the parking lot around 7am (race started at 8). parking was easy and really close to both the start and finish. we parked at raley field where the race actually finished, and this is where all the pre-race stuff was happening. there was a long line for the bathrooms, but it didn’t take long at all and it was actually really nice to go in real bathrooms vs porta potties. i did my standard 3 trips to the bathroom then we started walking over to the start line. the air was really chilly and i wasn’t ready to take off my long sleeves. it was cloudy out but it wasn’t raining and i was really happy for that since it was in the forecast. i decided to wear my long sleeve tech top for the first time ever in a race, which i would later regret. i pinned my number on the outside and went to do a warmup jog with chris to see how his leg was feeling. he knew right away that it would be stupid to run on it, so he decided to sit this one out. i gave my jacket to my mom and gave them both hugs and headed to the start on my own.
they had pace groups for 1:40 and 1:50 times, so i lined up somewhere closer to the 1:40 group hoping i wouldn’t have to swerve too much. a couple minutes later everyone started moving so the race started! the course wound all over sacramento, and i really had no idea where we were going in any of it, which is kind of nice. i didn’t have to weave too much and about a half mile in i looked down to see how i was running. i didn’t want to start off too fast, but i also didn’t want to start too slow. i was running right around an 8 min mile which felt good so i just tried to stay there. mile 2 i ran too fast, and then overcompensating by slowing down too much for mile 3. i was trying to find the right pace and think i finally did after that. about a mile in i started to get warm and wished i didn’t have the long sleeves on anymore. around mile 3 i decided they were coming off, so while i was running i unpinned my bib, pinned it to my fuel belt, and took off my long sleeves. i felt sooo much better after that. i tied it around my waist knowing i would see chris and my mom in a few miles. i started to settle into a more consistent pace and i was feeling good. i took a chocolate gu at around mile 4.5.
mile 1 – 8:02, mile 2 – 7:54, mile 3 – 8:16, mile 4 – 7:59, mile 5 – 8:06
every time i would pass a mile marker i would be around .96-.98 on garmin. this was one of those races i wished i was lapping it myself instead of using auto lap just to see what my mile times would be per the course. i kept it on the second screen the whole time which just shows my current lap, so i really had no idea how i was doing overall, but i did know if i kept it up i would have a nice PR. i saw chris and my mom just around mile 7 and i passed my shirt off and tried to smile for the camera. somewhere in here on one of the out and back portions kristen spotted me and called out my name. it’s always fun to see people you know out there and it always gives me a boost 
miles 8 and 9 are usually my slowest in half marathons, so i wanted to really try to hold my pace this time, which i was able to. i took my second gu (espresso love) at mile 9.
mile 6 – 8:01, mile 7 – 7:59, mile 8 – 8:03, mile 9 – 8:01
miles 10 and 11 i was getting tired, but i was able to hold on and keep the pace where i wanted. i saw kristen again in the last few miles and gave another smile and wave. i was still coming in under a mile at every marker and i just hoped it wouldn’t be an extra long last .10 to the finish line which happened to me before. i was pretty zoned out during this entire race. i really don’t remember hearing any of my songs, and i don’t remember a lot of what i saw, i just was really focused and concentrated. once i got to mile 12 i knew it was time to pick it up. i just pulled from my past few long progression runs and told myself that i could pick it up! the last mile came and i just tried to give it everything i had. we had to climb this stupid ramp thing to get up into the stadium and i was huffing and puffing and passing a bunch of people. this last mile i was hard and i was out of breath, but i just kept pushing knowing the finish line was so close! about a .3 miles left i switched garmin to the overall screen and saw i was at 1:43:XX, which kind of shocked me. i knew if i pushed it hard i would be able to break 1:45 which was a goal of mine for 2009. i came into the stadium, saw the finish line and gave it everything i had.
mile 10 – 8:08, mile 11 – 8:06, mile 12 – 7:58, mile 13 – 7:32, sprint to the finish @ 7:08 AP
chris took a video and yes that is my mom yelling for me
i saw the clock and it said 1:44:30, and i knew i had time from not crossing the start line right away, but i wanted to beat that clock before it said 1:45! i crossed the finish line, stopped my watch and looked down 1:44:30!!! i was so excited and so proud of myself… wow i really didn’t know i had that in me
garmin did come in under 13.1 miles just barely…
garmin stats: 13.05/1:44:30/8:00 avg pace
race stats (2 secs faster than garmin!):
1:44:27.8/7:58 avg pace
age group: 20/344
overall: 413/3603
we walked 2 minutes to the car and were on the freeway within 5 minutes… like i said logistically super easy. i really loved this race. easy to get to, easy to park, easy to spectate, easy post race, really fast course… i would do it again in a second!
we got some breakfast once we got back to the east bay… i really wanted my PR reward of pancakes! my stomach wasn’t very happy with me, so i didn’t get to finish them all, but they were still yummy. then i was home for an ice bath and a nap. my legs feel good, a little tired, but not bad. my friend and i got each other gift certificates to an amazing spa for our birthdays, and we are finally going tomorrow to use them! so i have the day off from work and a sports massage to work out the kinks… cannot wait!
week 5 down, 47.2 miles total and a 3:46 half marathon PR… it was a great week!
AWESOME JOB! You did fantastic! I’m so happy for you! You have the sweetest hubby too! Sounds like you had a good pre-race day with your mom. 47miles is great! Way to rock it girl!!!
Congrats, that is an amazing run!! So very well split!
So amazing! You really are a natural, you run and race so well! One of my real life friends that I got into running ran a relay at this race.
Great job Aron! Awesome time! You are so fast!
An awesome week for you for sure!
Really fun to see you in real life on the video. Again, great job!
Congrats on YET another stellar race!!! Your PR is a great reflection of training. You deserve to revel in your glory!
WooooHoooo!! Great work.
Thanks for sharing the video too.
Big Congrats, Aron. Just what I predicted:) So happy for you. You are such a dedicated and smart runner! Nice to have get rewards for that! Ana-Maria
Way to go Aron! Enjoy the spa, you earned it.
With those tempo miles you’ve been knocking out lately I had a feeling this was going to be a great race for you. Congrats on the PR!
Amazing Aron! Congrats on your PR and an incredible run! I’m so happy for you, all your hard work at training really pays off, and you earned your PR.
Congrats on a great race! I’ll be running in Eugene, too. We should try to meet up (blogger, runner girls unite!)
Great job and great race report.
yeahhh!!! way to go you awesome runner!
Yeah for our PRs!! The first time I saw you I literally just looked up and was like, “oh my gosh – that looks just like Aron,” and it was! It gave me a little boost both times!!
GREAT JOB again!
CONGRATS! awesome PR — you smoked it! amazing!!
Wow Aron! Great job! I knew you were going to kick butt in this one. Your training has been going so well.
I heard the announcer call your name
You did so well!!! And that video is awesome – you looked so strong at the end!
)
PS: Your excited mom is super cute!
Aron – that is a wicked good time, great job! That is a helluva improvement from your previous 1/2 PR. You’ve been running really well as of late and it is definitely showing now.
Proud of ya – keep on rocking your workouts.
Dang, Aron! That’s a phenomenal HM!!!
Congrats on a fabulous time
Congrats Aron! Way to be; sounds like you had fun too.
We’d get a long well at the beginning of a race; i average 4 turns in the porta pot
WOW! Amazing job, Aron!! You kicked butt! I totally loved your mom cheering in the background–she sounds so proud (and I don’t blame her!)
Enjoy the spa . . . your smokin’ PR is certainly worthy of such a fabulous reward
CONGRATS!!!! Way to go!!
Seriously – GREAT job!!!!!
I knew you were going to PR. Congratulations!
Seriously – GREAT job!!!!!
Way to go! What an amazing job!!! How fun to see all your hard training pay off with such an impressive PR!! Congrats!!!
That is incredible, so fantastic. Congrats!
Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said you were doing a progressive run in the last 5K…geez those are very impressive stats for the last 2 miles. Awesome job. Congrats on your PR!
Great job!! Congrats on the PR. A great paced race. Love the video!
Awesome job! Enjoy the massage tomorrow – you deserve it!
Great job Aron, all of your hard work is paying off!
You did a wonderful job, Speedy! Yeah, that massage is well deserved.
Great job!!! PR by almost four minutes?! You are so fast!!
Great job! Congrats on the PR! Loved your video and smiled the whole time that I heard your mom cheering you on. So cute!! Enjoy your spa treatment!
Awesome half marathon! Congrats on the PR, looks like all that running is treating you well. I loved your mom cheering in the video…Moms are fantastic!
Awesome job!!! Congrats!!!
Huge congrats….and awesome PR!!
Congratulations!! Your splits are so even (and so fast)!
i’m so glad you had such a great race- congratulations on a job well done! you are such an inspiration– great race report!
Girl you rocked that race. I saw you come in! My Marathon Coach Paul took FIRST! and we stayed and watched everyone come in til 2:10 or so when the last of our runners crossed the finish line. I had my first DNS. =( I have a severe infection and on meds I was afraid to take any chances even if it had been 24 hours. Next year! I’m doing CIM too. what other races are you signed up for? I’m looking for another half somewhere close, you have any ideas?
WooHoo PR baby! Great Job. Way to push through the tough spots. Your mom is great!!
That is FANTASTIC!!! Congrats, and way to go at the end…you ROCKED it!!!
~Ms. V.
Great race! I love when everything is all organized like that.
Well done…Congrats on a great run.
Enjoyed your report.
Good luck.
Aron – you are AMAZING! Congrats on an awesome half marathon
And can I just say that I *loved* that video??? What an awesome support crew. But that’s my favorite part of running – to experience that “moment”. Especially for halfs and fulls where you really had to work it and then to finally get to the end with the cheering squad and the music and most importantly, the FINISH LINE! Love it 
GReat job! YOu are definitely a super speedy runner. Great report and it wonderful to have such great supporters around isn’t it??
Dumping in the ice AFTER you’re in the tub – so that’s the secret!
Wow, fantastic race (and great report!) – sounds like you held strong the entire way!
All I can say, is that your hard work and determination is paying off! Well done Aron. I am so happy for you. Glad you had a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the sports massage.
Wow girl what an awesome race! Congrats on a stellar PR! Sounds like you had a really fun time!
Congratulations on a race well-run, Aron! That PR is amazing!
WOW great job on the half marathon! You are one speedy runner!! Congrats, congrats, congrats!!! Enjoy the sports massage!!
You are doing so well with the running! I was thinking of hiring a running coach…can I just hire you?
CONGRATS ARON!! That is absolutely fantastic!! ;D ;D Dang before you know it, you’ll be hitting the 1:30s
awesome job out there, Aron!!! congrats on the PR
CONGRATS!!!!! you have earned this!!!! all your hard work, pace pushing, consistency– WAY TO GO GIRL!!!! yeahhhhh
Amazing, Aron! Congratulations. Love that video of your big finish – you look so strong!
Congrats, congrats, congrats! I love reading about your races, and you did soooo well! Congrats on meeting your goal for this year already, too
All that good training looks like it’s paying off!
Wow!! Great race! Super splits! You’ve definately put some quality training in the bank. This race proves it!
What an amazing run! Congratulations!!! Your training is making you so speedy it’s scary and impressive. Way to go!!!!!!!!
WOO-HOO PR!!!!!!
I gotta say, I love that video…way to spectate Aron’s mom =). So awesome! I kinda love races that finish in a stadium makes me feel olympic-esque.
Great job!!!!!!
way to go!! 4 minutes!!!
whooohooooooo!!!!! congrats you did amazing!! Love the video you’re mom is sooooo cute! enjoy your spa day you deserve it!!!!!
wow awesome job and terrific pr!! love the video with your mom yelling – she is a great spectator
you really killed your old pr and met one of your ’09 goals already! great job girl!!
fantastic job, aron! Congrats on the PR! Hope you’re enjoying your day off and sports massage–I’m a big fan of both
What an awesome race! Congrats on the new PR!!
Way to be speedy, lady!!! Congratulations! I hope you are indeed taking the day off
You deserve it!
Holy mackeral, Speedy MacSpeedyPants!!!!
Dude.
You averaged sub-8 on a half.
*bows down to Queen of Speed*
You are frickin’ awesome!
My garmin is usually *ahead* which makes it look like I’ve gone too far. I’m sure that’s not usually the case, but it doesn’t help when you’re not really sure how close you are to the finish!
Great job! I can’t even imagine running more than one mile at that pace
Way to go, Aron!!! I am so happy for you. Your hard work is paying off. What a great race!
Congratulations on the wonderful PR! It is so good to see all your hard work paying off. Enjoy your spa day– you deserve it!
Way to go! Enjoy the time off.. it’s well deserved
Yay for a great race. I totally agree with you about being “logistically easy” that makes things so much easier!
Awesome job, Aron! You ran that race perfect and earned a great PR. Recover well and you are going to be so ready for that marathon.
Congrats! Way to earn those pancakes. Can’t wait to see that marathon PR soon.
Congratulations! That is terrific!!! Yay!
Great job on the race! I think that the best part was how consistent it was.
Using races as training runs is the best. Even if you have to fudge a few miles here or there.
Yay!! Congrats on an awesome race! I was going to do this race as well, but there were some logistical mess ups that prevented me from doing it. Go you!!!
Great job! Hope your massage went well! Your legs will thank you!!
Wow, way to go speedy! Nice PR! Congratulations on a great race. Sorry that Chris wasn’t able to run with you. Hopefully his shins and foot will be better soon!
Excellent race!! Your pacing was wonderful and loved that strong finish in the video. Your mom is a great cheer leader too!
Yay! What a wonderful race!
Hope you enjoyed the spa…you deserve it.
Congrats on a great race and your new PR! Awesome job!
You are just SO fast! And so skinny and gorgeous! If I didn’t like you so much I’d be jealos. AS it is, you’re an inspiration..
Wish I’d been in town to cheer you on. Fabulous job, Aron!!!
Finally catching up.
Congrats on an excellent PR! I’m so excited for you.