1:44:49 (Oakville Half Marathon Race Report)

Today was the Oakville Half Marathon. This race has previously been held closer to Labour Day weekend, so I've missed it due to the Muskoka 70.3 for the last couple of years.

This race was my tune up for the marathon coming up later this fall. Ultimately, my goal was to treat this as a hard training run, requiring very little recovery so that I don't miss  valuable training time later this week. I went into the race with 4 plans (in order of preference):

1. Run 16 km at 4:50 pace and then pick up the pace for remaining 5.1 km
2. Run 16 km at 4:50 pace and maintain pace for remaining 5.1 km
3. Run 16 km at 4:50 pace and then reduce pace to my current 'long run' pace for the remaining 5.1 km
4. Try to run 16 km at 4:50 pace and abandon pace, try to maintain 'long run' pace as long as possible

Obviously, the most preferable choice is #1. I started off feeling pretty good. The race started out heading East on Lakeshore in Oakville, which is nearly flat with alternating mild up and downs. Next, the race headed North over similar terrain, but this seemed like the hilliest part of the course (still rather mild). After a short run south, we hit Rebecca and then headed westward. Around 12 km I was still feeling pretty good but grabbed a gel just for a boost. After 4 more km heading West, I had gone from feeling great to feeling very sluggish. I wasn't experiencing any issues with aerobic endurance, but muscular endurance was starting to kick in. At 16 km I chose plan 3 and settled into my comfortable pace, which I was able to maintain until the last kilometer, at which point I picked it up a little to come in just under 1:45. Overall I was happy with my time as I'm exactly on pace for my upcoming marathon.

After the race I was a little concerned that I felt pretty good. I actually went for a short hike this afternoon and nothing was too uncomfortable. Although muscular endurance was my physical limiter during the race, I think I let my mind beat my body at the 16 km mark. When I decided that I wasn't going to speed up for the last 5 km, I essentially convinced myself that it was ok to slow right down to long run pace. Looking back, I feel that I could have at least held my pace for another couple of kilometers, if not the duration of the race.

I'll be focusing on my muscular endurance leading up to the marathon in early November. Also, I need to do some research on how to balance my mind and body, possibly learn to push through my negative thoughts.

Anyway, following my race and hike today, I rewarded myself with a Wychwood Hobgoblin ruby ale, which I found to be pretty refreshing. Next was sushi, which also hit the spot. The next two days will be run free; I'll be on the bike both days though. Looking forward to a change in pace!