First up for me was working at the expo Saturday. I drove across the state and arrived early, so I began helping out early, as my shift was to be noon to 1 pm. I like chatting with the runners and working out in front of the booth (or tent) like a real trade show. Maybe I would have been a good carnival barker 75 years ago!
Having done a trial run Saturday at 6:30 am, I thought I knew what the weather would feel like and how I’d need to dress for the race. Sunday morning delivered mid-50s temps and a wind in the 12-15 mph range, which was more than double the breeze from the previous morning. I should have worn more throw-away clothing for the race. It doesn’t do me any good to leave it in a closet back home!
We started in a new corral configuration as a construction project under the bridge to Cocoa Beach closed the finish line park and North Course Half Marathon for this year. I explained this to everyone I met in the Pacer tent the day before. I also noted the new location of the START and FINISH line.
We started on time at 6:15 am. I had a nice group with me. Three young girls, one of whom ran with me for 11 miles two years ago and her two friends. They all wore matching lululemon outfits and ran close to each other. Diane, the Senior Grandmaster champ from last year was with me again for a 1:55 finish. Also running were Maureen from our PBRR local run club, Amanda Mavrakis from our area, Sarah Hughes from Boynton Beach, Chris Bonts, a local South Florida Zoot sponsored triathlete, and some folks that followed closely but didn’t come up to chat or run next to the rest of my group.
The first two miles were only slightly different from previous years – again we didn’t start on Brevard Ave but we did have the Jumbotron simulated blast off. Our first crowded mile was 8:52 – not far off the goal pace of 8:45. we perked up for miles two and three, running now on less of a crowded River Drive. Those miles were 8:32 and 8:25. This put us where we wanted as far as running the remaining miles at the correct pace.
I had the same group through Mile 5, where I guessed we’d see the lead runners and police motorcycle coming back at us on the left side of the road. At the second water aid station, I showed the lululemon girls and a few other how to run through the volunteers, get the cup, crimp the cup, and drink on the run. They liked that! I also highlighted that I knew a good bunch of people we’d see coming at us from the turnaround, I gave a little story about each of my local friends we’d likely see and in which order. This made it interesting for them as Chris was asing how I knew so many people that would say, “Hi Dave” as they passed us heading home. Maureen had begun speeding up so she was not with our group as the sun rose and we ran in daylight.
We were running with the wind south for Mile 6 at the proper pace. Sarah was the strongest runner in my group, she ran next to me. She explained shortly after the turnaround that two years ago, she was paralyzed in a hospital bed, and this was her first “real” race back. I did most of the talking, she listened but rarely reacted or had a reply. Not even to my jokes! 😀
Heading north, we were now running against the breeze. It wasn’t really prohibitive, but my group murmured about it and slowed a tiny bit. I encouraged them with the mention that today was like running in the fresh produce room at Costco – a chilled air conditioned experience. I’m not sure it allayed any of the runners concerns, however.
Miles 8, 9 and 10 were run well, now running with me I had Chris, Sarah, and a short bearded guy I didn’t chat with at all. I felt the wind on the sign, so I held it lower when I could. If I saw a race photographer ahead, I’d tell the runners to get clear of each other so they’d get a good photo and have their race bib visible. It seems the turnaround is all most people can muster at the 8:45 pace, this seems common each year for me pacing on this course.
When we reached Mile 10 I encouraged my folks to run a solid 5k at the pace we needed to hit to be on time. I noticed we were 10 seconds off perfect timing, so Mile 11 was completed at 8:34, then back to the regular goal pace. We ran “down” the only two mini-hills on the course and on the long straightaway in Rockledge towards the finish line area. This long straight section was most exposed to the wind, which came out of the NNW. Sarah ran next to me with Chris not far behind. I checked a few times behind us, I saw a few runners that if they kept that close, would also be finishing at 1:55 providing they started with me.
The familiar final half mile was just Sarah and I. I told her that Eliud Kipchoge smiles in the races when he feels things getting tough. I then said that she could now smile also, because she was home with a great time in her comeback race. We ran down the finasl street, I stayed right with her and finished in 1:54:35.
The bonus extra medals are fun for the 3 and 4 year series runners. I don’t know what to do with them, this would be a personal breaklthrough if I had a way to utilize them!
This is a weekend I look forward too, this year’s weather really helped make it a winner!
drun4fun 