Fox Cities Half Marathon - Race Report

Fox Cities Half Marathon

Here's how today's race went. I got up to Appleton around 4:00pm on Saturday and went to get my race packet at around 5:00pm. I met up with our own Dave-O, who just made it up to Appleton in time to register before it closed. We chatted for a little bit and I gave his some pointer and discriptions of the race course. After that, I went back to my friends house and had my normal night before race dinner of chicken and pasta. I chatted with my friend and his wife for a little and then called it a night.

I got up at 4:45am this morning and went through my normal race day morning routine. Gu Brew, Cliff Bar, and shower to wake me up. Then it was off to the starting area. The race started at 7:00am (which I love about this race) and we were there around 6:00am. I hit up the porta-john before they got busy and met up with Dave at the gear check and we talked a little strategy before go time. I checked my gear and did my warm up routine, then headed to the start line. I lined up about three rows back from the front (and Dave).

Bang the gun went off and the race was on. I got a great clean start about a second off of the gun time. I felt pretty good the first mile and my HR felt pretty decent. Which is odd for me as it normally takes about two miles for my HR to settle down. First mile was at 6:44 and I continued on very effortlessly, sorta getting comfortable with the pace and runners. I was trying to figure out if there was anyone that I could run with, but didn't really see anyone at first. I continued on picking off people until around mile 3.5 when I came upon a guy. As I passed him, he sorta picked up his pace and followed my left shoulder. I thought to myself, alright, someone wants to go. We chatted for a little bit and he stated that he would try to stay with me as long as he could. I was definitely settled into a good running pace by now and just seemed to knock the miles out.

The first half of the race I averaged around a 6:40 pace. By mile 10 I was still continuing on pace. But that's when I had a little gut check. My pace slowed a little bit and my mile 11 was the slowest of the race at 6:53. After mile 11 though, my pace picked back up and I finished the last two miles strong at 6:44 and 6:38. I turned the corner for the last .25 miles and could sse the finish line ahead. That's always my sign to start the kick and kick I did. I finished it up strong with a 5:44 pace over the last .25 miles, passing three more runners in the process.

I click the garmin as I crossed the finish and it read 1:28:29, a new PR. Below are my garmin splits. My official time was 1:28:28, which was good enough for 44th overall out of the 2,888 runners and 15th (out of 170) in my age group. I talked with Dave after the race and he ended up finishing 5th overall, so a good performance form him.

I continue my progression in the HM. Last year I PR'd at this race with a 1:31:02 and I stayed true to my ~3:00 improvement each year. Although, I am not sure if I can hit 1:25 next year I met my goal for this race, which was to be in the 1:28s. I solidly met that goal and should be set up well for my race in three weeks. Tomorrow starts the first week of taper. Definitely on the downhill now...

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace	Avg HR
1	6:45	1	6:45	141
2	6:41	1	6:41	150
3	6:28	1	6:28	154
4	6:40	1	6:40	155
5	6:49	1	6:49	156
6	6:41	1	6:41	156
7	6:36	1	6:36	155
8	6:46	1	6:46	155
9	6:45	1	6:45	155
10	6:47	1	6:47	155
11	6:53	1	6:53	155
12	6:44	1	6:44	157
13	6:38	1	6:38	157
14	1:18	0.23	5:44	162
Summary	1:28:30	13.23	6:41	154

(look at those consitent HR numbers...Kenny should love thoughs)

Nicely done, Nick! Congrats!

Nice job in earning a PR. That always makes it a good day. Congrats!

That's a great PR effort Nick. You certainly did have a solid performance!!

Well done, captain!

Nice steady pacing and your HR stayed very constant which shows that you were not redlining out there. Nice big PR and a solid indicator that you will be very ready for Steamtown. Well done!

Well done Nick, you rocked it out.

Wow! That was an awesome performance!!! Great job on the PR. What is your max HR? I can't believe you are able to keep your HR so steady like that when you are running that fast . Things certainly looking good for the marathon!

Great job on the PR, Nick!

Way to go, Nick...congrats on your new PR!

Great job Nick. Congrats on the new PR.

Impressive race Nick! Congrats on the PR!! Sounds like you had a great day!!

Great job Nick on your PR! Sounds like you ran very well and under control. You should be set up nicely for your full. Overall it looks like you're in great shape! Congrats!

Way to go Nick.

I agree with John's implication - you have a freakish heart.

Great race out there, Nick. Those times don't surprise me in the slightest after following your blog.

Great job, and congrats on the PR!

COngratulations Nick, that was a great job. I was wondering what HR % you ran at those last 4-5 miles? It didn't really climb at all so you were very prepared for this. You're going to really do well in three weeks.

Wow, congrats, Nick. Very nice consistent splits!

Very nicely done, Nick. Smart pacing and a nice PR.

It was great to meet you, and thanks for your help getting me settled in on such short notice. It was a big help!

Dave-O wrote:Very nicely done, Nick. Smart pacing and a nice PR.

It was great to meet you, and thanks for your help getting me settled in on such short notice. It was a big help!

No problem Dave...I am glad that you were able to make it up there in time. It was great meeting you, too.

Looks like you perfectly executed the race - very well done.

Great race and congrats on the PR! Sorry I didn't get to meet up with you and Dave, I was just hanging out with my family doing a little vacationing, too.

Great racing, so glad to see all went well! Congrats!!

Look at you! Great job! Hard work pays off and I know you can get that 1:25 next year. You're still a young pup You have a few more years in you. At least a few

ChasMcG wrote:Look at you! Great job! Hard work pays off and I know you can get that 1:25 next year. You're still a young pup You have a few more years in you. At least a few

Haha...Thanks...I just wonder how long I will be able to keep improving at this pace. One would think that I would start plateauing at some point.

Terrific race, Nick. I know I like those numbers you put up. Congrats!!