Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half

Jerry hates Rock 'n' Roll or Competitor Group. Over 11,000 runners, a self claimed premier professional event organizer just can't put the start and finish together with 4 miles apart. Unfortunately Jerry has to run Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half because this is the largest half event around and the last chance in Spring for a good racing weather at least for a half distance.

Besides, Jerry doesn't like IRA either. Can Jerry refuse to fire tax? No.

Like people say: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

So, Jerry decides to run Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half every year since its launch last year, which Jerry finished at 1:21:43, 3rd AG.

With a 1:21:06 PR last November at a little warm and a little hilly course, Jerry is supposed to easily go under 1:21. That is of cause if Jerry has been training.

Jerry has not since last December, when Jerry failed again to go under 3:00 in White Rock Marathon. Rumor has it that Jerry's only sub 3 of 2010 was a fluke. Jerry has been depressed. As people do in depression, Jerry eats, drinks and sleeps more.

But not Jerry's ego.

5 weeks ago a friend with a 3:13 marathon PR came over for a 15k race. It was 40 degree, perfect racing weather. With no warmup, long pant and wind breaker, Jerry told his friend:why don't I just draft you for the first 6 miles and lets see how long you can draft me after?

At 6:30 pace, Jerry quit around mile 2 and finished the race around 1:17.

His friend? 1:01:18 @6:35 pace.

After that, Jerry has put 40-50mpw for 4 weeks.

Oh crap, this is too long.

Long story short, before the gun, the announcer said: .... this is a perfect weather ....

A runner by Jerry commented: no, this is not.

60 degree with full sunrise, that was not. Jerry just reminded himself the race plan: 6:30 for the first 8, no rush even if feeling good.

The first 3 miles were as plan, 6:27, 6:31, 6:22. Jerry was sweating good.

Anticipating gentle up from here to mile 8 and with a tiny little side stitch feeling, Jerry just kept the effort in check. But somehow Jerry started passing and the side stitch feeling eventually went away. Jerry warmed up.

A young kid with a dark blue and yellow stripe, quite like Jerry's light blue signature Boston singlet was in front, very smooth.

"Is that a Boston singlet?" Jerry intrigued and drafted him. A spectator shouted out: go Boston!

Jerry was jealous and pulled ahead on a uphill. When Jerry came to the flat land, the kid quietly passed. Jerry felt stupid.

Mile 4-7: 6:28, 6:30, 6:33, 6:23.

Jerry set the Garmin 405 screen with only two fields, Time and Lap Pace. At mile 8, Jerry saw 6:06.

"Don't tell me I just ran a 6:06 mile.", Jerry said to himself.

Jerry became excited. Even if that was probably the lap pace after mile 8, Jerry knew he was going to have a negative splits and most importantly beat his friend's 15k time.

1:00:xx at 15k, now Jerry was feeling it and started anticipating one mile mark at a time.

The good news was, as always:D, Jerry was passing.

The bad news was, when the Boston kid passed again, Jerry had no legs to counter.

At the last last stretch, Jerry was charging hard and heard the announcer: This is quite some kick here!

Jerry told himself: I heard this before.

Right before the line, Jerry saw the runner he passed earlier hit the line half stride ahead.

"Oh."

1:23:45 official time, 6th place AG, 45th overall, 2 minutes off last year, but 1 minute over Jerry's expectation. Not bad!

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace	Avg HR	MHR%
1	06:26.8	1	6:27	150	81%
2	06:31.1	1	6:31	159	86%
3	06:21.6	1	6:22	160	86%
4	06:27.8	1	6:28	157	85%
5	06:29.6	1	6:30	161	87%
6	06:33.1	1	6:33	162	88%
7	06:23.5	1	6:23	162	88%
8	06:25.9	1	6:26	164	89%
9	06:13.3	1	6:13	164	89%
10	06:17.0	1	6:17	164	89%
11	06:15.9	1	6:16	165	89%
12	06:17.9	1	6:18	165	89%
13	06:13.1	1	6:13	170	92%
14	:54.5	0.16	5:32	171	92%
Summary	1:23:51	13.16	6:22	162	88%

And... Jerry hasn't yet told us how he did on Sunday, did he?

I won't steal Jerry's thunder, but I will say he did pretty darn well for some guy who hates to train.

Edit to add: I didn't know Jerry was writing his report and posting it in chapter form...

I'm somewhat confused Jerry - did it go well yesterday or not??

Michele "1L" Keane wrote:I'm somewhat confused Jerry - did it go well yesterday or not??

I am quite surprised and happy with the result as even in the 4 weeks training, the longest was a half distance.

Jerry wrote:

Michele "1L" Keane wrote:I'm somewhat confused Jerry - did it go well yesterday or not??

I am quite surprised and happy with the result as even in the 4 weeks training, the longest was a half distance.

That is what matters. Congrats on a good race, Jerry.

good race Jerry -- now start training harder~~

Loved Jerry's race report!

Great race Jerry, you outperformed my prediction.

mountandog wrote:good race Jerry -- now start training harder~~

Let's just begin with 'start training'.

Chris enjoys reading Jerry's race reports. Chris is particularly impressed with how Jerry dropped the hammer and sped up over the last 5 miles. Chris thinks Jerry sure knows how to race well.

Chris M wrote:Chris enjoys reading Jerry's race reports. Chris is particularly impressed with how Jerry dropped the hammer and sped up over the last 5 miles. Chris thinks Jerry sure knows how to race well.

Diego likes that Chris is impressed that Jerry knows how to speed up the last few miles and knows how to have a very nice race!

Diego also wishes that Chris, Tim M, and Jerry would have a 365runner half marathon challenge.

Diego wrote:

Chris M wrote:Chris enjoys reading Jerry's race reports. Chris is particularly impressed with how Jerry dropped the hammer and sped up over the last 5 miles. Chris thinks Jerry sure knows how to race well.

Diego likes that Chris is impressed that Jerry knows how to speed up the last few miles and knows how to have a very nice race!

Diego also wishes that Chris, Tim M, and Jerry would have a 365runner half marathon challenge.

That's about the only thing I've found that will get Jerry off his ass and back out pounding the pavement.

The man trains for 4 weeks and pulls off a 1:23:45. Wow Jerry, that was a great race! Whatever you have, I would like to have a piece of - you were sure getting after it for the last half - sounds like fun.

Goddammit run a 1:19 already!!!!!!! I know you can.

Yahoo, Jerry! That's a fine finish!

Nice thing about the half....no port-a-let stops!

Who is this Jerry?

Nice way to beat expectations.

Jerry did good!

Way to go Jerry! So when is the 1:19 going to happen?

Congrats on a nice race with little training!

Oh by the way I can't stand "Rock N Roll"events! Won't catch me running in one even if it is the last organized running event to be put on!

And who is this Jerry character you speak of? Seriously, nice race! Love how Jerry negative split.