My race against the all-time marathon records.

[Rain Man]

Tomorrow I'll be chasing history.

I'll run my first half-marathon tomorrow, and will be chasing the legends of old. I'll post in a poll the historical records of the marathon, as each five-minute segment was passed (2:30, 2:25, etc.) How do think I'll compete?

(Technically, the guys in the poll were running full marathons while I'll be running a half-marathon, but there are only four letters' difference.)

As a little background information, I did my first casual 13.1 mile run a couple of weeks ago, and my Nike/Ipod told me I ran it in 2:27:33. It's not certain how accurate it is at determining distance, though it looked like it was pretty close.

[FAX]

Good luck, Mr. Rain Man.

FAX

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I voted you will beat all these guys. Let me know where to show up with my assault rifle and a drum of boar spew.

[Stanley Nickels]

www.mapmyrun.com
is the most accurate route calculator I have found.
Best of luck.
Remember, don't run ANY faster when you hit your plateau. You'll be around mile 5, and you'll hit your stride, thinking "hey, no sweat!" It is at this point that you change NOTHING. Those who typically fair the worst in half-marathons fall into one of two categories: 1) those who weren't ready for it in the first place, and 2) those who fail to keep a pace they can handle. The former is self-evident, but the latter sneaks up on a lot of people. Just find your pace, and stay there... it's always helped.
Best of luck, and make sure you know that cramps go away!

[Rain Man]

Woohoo!

I am officially a half-marathon veteran, and my time was better than I expected. I ran a 2:13:43, which is slightly more than 10 minutes per mile. I was hoping for a 2:24 and I beat that handily.

I came in 928th overall, but apparently placed 32nd in my age group. I have no idea how many people were in my age group yet, but I was particularly pleased by that placing. According to the news, there were roughly 1,700 people registered, though I'm sure that some don't show up.

I started out at the back of the starting pack since I wasn't sure how it'd go, and that was a mistake. It took me almost two miles before I could weave through the really slow people and get to a normal pace. I could've probably cut another minute or two if I'd started more toward the middle of the pack.

I did really well until about the 8 mile mark, and then from there I noticed that I was as likely to be passed as to pass other people. I got to see the leaders a couple of times when the course doubled back on itself, and it was kind of cool because all of the slower people would clap for the leaders. I thought that was nice..

After about five miles or so I ended up running with a similarly paced group of people, and it was fun to try to keep up and pass them over the long term. I ended up passing Muddy Buddy Shirt, Bright Red Shirt, Sweaty Guy, Weightlifter Guy, and Pinup Girl, and beat them. I must've passed Aquamarine Finerear six times, but every time it was because she was stopping to stretch or get water or something, and then she'd pass me up again. I ended losing to her by maybe a minute or two. I lost track of Clompy The Grunter, who annoyed me by slapping her feet really hard against the concrete all the time and grunting, so I'm not sure if I beat her or she beat me.

[keg in kc]

At least you didn't have to run behind Farty Brownstain.

That's never fun.

Good job.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Woohoo!

I am officially a half-marathon veteran, and my time was better than I expected. I ran a 2:13:43, which is slightly more than 10 minutes per mile. I was hoping for a 2:24 and I beat that handily.

I came in 928th overall, but apparently placed 32nd in my age group. I have no idea how many people were in my age group yet, but I was particularly pleased by that placing. According to the news, there were roughly 1,700 people registered, though I'm sure that some don't show up.

I started out at the back of the starting pack since I wasn't sure how it'd go, and that was a mistake. It took me almost two miles before I could weave through the really slow people and get to a normal pace. I could've probably cut another minute or two if I'd started more toward the middle of the pack.

I did really well until about the 8 mile mark, and then from there I noticed that I was as likely to be passed as to pass other people. I got to see the leaders a couple of times when the course doubled back on itself, and it was kind of cool because all of the slower people would clap for the leaders. I thought that was nice..

After about five miles or so I ended up running with a similarly paced group of people, and it was fun to try to keep up and pass them over the long term. I ended up passing Muddy Buddy Shirt, Bright Red Shirt, Sweaty Guy, Weightlifter Guy, and Pinup Girl, and beat them. I must've passed Aquamarine Finerear six times, but every time it was because she was stopping to stretch or get water or something, and then she'd pass me up again. I ended losing to her by maybe a minute or two. I lost track of Clompy The Grunter, who annoyed me by slapping her feet really hard against the concrete all the time and grunting, so I'm not sure if I beat her or she beat me.

First time "officially?" You did a great job dude. I look forward to the day I can do that. It's definitely on my goal list.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

You're as good as any 1965 or older athlete!!!

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

At least you didn't have to run behind Farty Brownstain.

That's never fun.

Good job.

Actually, that was me. Kept people from running too close behind me.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

First time "officially?" You did a great job dude. I look forward to the day I can do that. It's definitely on my goal list.

Yep, my first time. I did a 5K many years ago, but that's the only organized run I've ever done, and obviously a much shorter distance.

Here's me with my "finishers" medal.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yep, my first time. I did a 5K many years ago, but that's the only organized run I've ever done, and obviously a much shorter distance.

Here's me with my "finishers" medal.

A 5k's my eventual goal.

I was a cross country runner in junior high and high school, so I've done dozens of 5 and 10ks, but it's been almost 20 years.

(Don't mistake me saying I did them as saying I was any good at them - I've always been a big slow dude).

I don't think I've ever run more than 12 miles at once, though, and I don't ever anticipate that I ever will.

YOU'RE CRAZY!

Crazy.

But you set your goal and you did it. Which is awesome.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

But you set your goal and you did it. Which is awesome.

Thanks. I'm extremely proud. There may have been 927 people ahead of me, but man oh man, if you had told me six months ago to do this, I would've scoffed derisively. It simply wasn't feasible. Finishing this thing is actually one of my biggest accomplishments in a long time, because it was a huge stretch for me.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yep, my first time. I did a 5K many years ago, but that's the only organized run I've ever done, and obviously a much shorter distance.

Here's me with my "finishers" medal.

The Amazon is going to be a little bit sweeter with your new found conditioning and fitness. Congratulations!! You've earned it.

[Mizzou_8541]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Woohoo!

I am officially a half-marathon veteran, and my time was better than I expected. I ran a 2:13:43, which is slightly more than 10 minutes per mile. I was hoping for a 2:24 and I beat that handily.

I came in 928th overall, but apparently placed 32nd in my age group. I have no idea how many people were in my age group yet, but I was particularly pleased by that placing. According to the news, there were roughly 1,700 people registered, though I'm sure that some don't show up.

I started out at the back of the starting pack since I wasn't sure how it'd go, and that was a mistake. It took me almost two miles before I could weave through the really slow people and get to a normal pace. I could've probably cut another minute or two if I'd started more toward the middle of the pack.

I did really well until about the 8 mile mark, and then from there I noticed that I was as likely to be passed as to pass other people. I got to see the leaders a couple of times when the course doubled back on itself, and it was kind of cool because all of the slower people would clap for the leaders. I thought that was nice..

After about five miles or so I ended up running with a similarly paced group of people, and it was fun to try to keep up and pass them over the long term. I ended up passing Muddy Buddy Shirt, Bright Red Shirt, Sweaty Guy, Weightlifter Guy, and Pinup Girl, and beat them. I must've passed Aquamarine Finerear six times, but every time it was because she was stopping to stretch or get water or something, and then she'd pass me up again. I ended losing to her by maybe a minute or two. I lost track of Clompy The Grunter, who annoyed me by slapping her feet really hard against the concrete all the time and grunting, so I'm not sure if I beat her or she beat me.

Congrats, man!

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Thanks. I'm extremely proud. There may have been 927 people ahead of me, but man oh man, if you had told me six months ago to do this, I would've scoffed derisively.

Ah who cares about the ones in front of you. Only one guy can win, if you get competitive like that. So if you focus on anybody at all, make it the 700-800 people (LOSERS!) behind you.

Although you seem happy simply to have done it at all, which is the real victory, and the best way to look at something like this, I say.

[DaFace]

Congrats, boss man. Glad that you got to run before it started hailing.