Sunday, December 10, 2006

#39364

I got my confirmation and final instructions from the Rock N' Roll Half Marathon. I'm number
39364

and I'm starting in corral 19. Which I'm sure is near the back, but that's ok. There's no rush.

Looks like instead of going thru downtown Tempe, the half marathon route will go along the Rio Salado (Salt River) Parkway just north of Sun Devil Stadium. I've shown you some of the photos from the half marathon course. Now you can see them all by visiting my RNR Half Marathon Photo Album.

My training is going well. The slight detour for my vasectomy hasn't slown me down too much. Yesterday I ran 5 miles with only three walk breaks and I did 8 miles last Thursday. I'd like to do a 10-12 mile run sometime within the next week and do 30 miles for the week.

Amy and the kids are going to see me somewhere in the middle of the race and at the finish. I need to start thinking about strategy for race day. I think I can predict when I'll arrive at each mile (give or take 20 minutes), so I think I'll have them wait for me at the Chinese Cultural Center near mile 8 (10:15 am). What I'm not sure about is how many minutes will it take for corral 19 to get to the start line? There will be over 19,000 runners in front of me.

I plan on carrying my phone, some gu and maybe a camera. I'll also have my Ipod to keep track of my pace, not to listen to music. There will be a dozen or more bands lining the course and just as many cheer squads. I should be suffiently entertained.

Any experienced marathoners that have any words of wisdom for me, please leave a comment.

7 comments:

Spark Driver said...

I have only had one half marathon, and one full one so I am a long way from being 'expercienced'. All I can say is soak up the atmoshere and enjoy your day.

Good luck for your run.

J~Mom said...

Pat, I am so excited for you and the hm!! I know you will do great!! I wish I had some wisdom for you. I will be asking you the same in March!

Black Knight said...

I think you already know what you have to do during the half-marathon. Take it easy and don't worry about the final time. The start near the back is better because you will enjoy to overcome the other runners.

Anonymous said...

my advice: don't worry, have fun!

Anonymous said...

Pat you sound primed and ready for the half. It has been a pleasure reading along as you train. You are going to do awesome! You sound so much more prepared for your first half than I was for my own, so I know you will do awesome. Just take your time and enjoy the experience.

MNFirefly said...

Have fun. I can not wait to get my race number this week. Whoooohoo!

Phil said...

For your first 1/2 marathon, I can't say it any better than Angie (of course I'll prattle on much longer). Just go out and have a good time. Your finish time will be a PR, so just relax and don't get too wrapped up in the excitement. Run YOURrace; don't worry about anyone else around you.

Since you don't have a lot of experience staying on your feet for the 2:30+ hours you'll need to complete this course, I'd suggest that you employee the same run / walk technique that has served you so well for your training. Treat the first 11 miles like you would any other training run. Go out at a comfortable training pace and make sure you take a walk break as frequently as you normally do. Once you get onto the last 2 miles, you can think about pushing up the pace, depending on how your are feeling. Save something for those last 50 feet for the dramatic photo-op of you sprinting across the finish.