IMS Arizona Half Marathon

Summary:  1:42:57, 73rd overall (out of 827), 21st woman, 2nd AG, 5th Masters woman  

Fastest time since February, 2012.

Quick report:  I ran this race as part of the Boston retreat weekend that I spent in Arizona.  The course was relatively flat with three noticeable "hills" - a small incline at mile 8 followed by a steep but short climb at mile 8, and a final steep, short climb over a bridge/overpass at mile 12.2.  The weather was a bit warm (59F) at the start especially for those of us who live in the frigid north and midwest, but the sun stayed under some cover and we hand a mild breeze in our faces for the first 6-7 miles.  When the sun came out, it did get warm and combined with the "hills", it made the last few miles tougher.  I ran pretty consistently until around mile 11.5 when I really began to feel the heat and the pace, and I actually succumbed to it by walking through the last water stop before the final hill at mile 12.  I was not pleased with that as I know I lost probably 30-40 sec, and I need to work on the mental aspect of my running especially before Boston.  I let the heat and final mile thing get to me again as I did in Houston and in Presque Isle.  I put a lot of pressure on myself to run well on Sunday and that is most likely the cause.    No issue really as there is still 9 weeks left before Boston and I obviously have the mental thing to work on rather than the physical.

That being said, in retrospect I'm very happy with the final time and I recovered well.

I was curious how it had gone, not having heard anything after the weekend, so had looked up the result the other day, and figured you must be pleased! Great time!

It's interesting to read your reaction - how we second guess everything we do in a race and find a way to question the good result. Been there, done that.

You appear to me to be ready. I think Boston will provide its own resolve for those final miles.

Good luck!

Great job Michele. I don't think you can overestimate the impact the heat had considering the winter from hell we've all been dealing with.  You'll be primed for Boston.

Nice job Michele!

another good one.  good for a mid-cycle race

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:Fastest time since February, 2012.

I obviously have the mental thing to work on rather than the physical.

I'm very happy with the final time and I recovered well.

Goodly!

Nice race, Michele. Solid time, a good stimulus for running in less-than-frigid conditions, and a reminder about the need for fortitude in those last few miles. I think you're in a good position to run very well in Boston this year.

Very nice result. Just what you need in the build-up for a particularly important Boston.

Good performance despite how much you beat yourself up over the race logistics. You hung in and finish respectably.

From what you are used to, I would say that was more than a little warm - I think you had a great race and congrats!