Minneapolis Half Marathon - May 31, 2009

This morning I ran in the inaugural Minneapolis Half Marathon which also sponsored a full marathon and 5k starting at the old Depot in downtown Minneapolis, following the west side of the river down and back. Unlike two weeks ago, the weather was phenomenal. Sunny, upper 50's and low winds as the race started at 7:00 am. I finished in 1:32:33 - another personal best and good enough for 51st among 2,246 runners. I also finished first in my age group among 67 men 50-54 years old. I was surprised to win my age group in this race.

Last summer, I never thought a sub 90 minute half marathon was possible for me. I averaged a 7:04/mile pace today, but would need to improve to a 6:52 pace to break 90 minutes. My best 10k mile race pace so far is 6:47, but the half is of course more than twice the distance of a 10k, so cutting another 2.5 minutes off my time still sounds like a bit of a stretch. Well, nothing wrong with having a goal I guess. It's a core element of my motivation, always trying to improve upon my prior best.

On to Grandma's! If the weather cooperates maybe a sub 3:30 marathon!

http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=10273&relist_record_type=result&lower_bound=0&upper_bound=2271&use_previous_sql=1&group_by=default#racetop

Maple Grove Half Marathon - May 16, 2009

Race day for the Maple Grove Half Marathon this year was frightening to say the least.  Just 39 degrees at the start of the race but the northwest wind was so relentless with 25-30 mph gusts.  You could hardly stand up straight in sections of the race where there was little protection from the wind.  This marathon was a combination of residential streets and paved trails through the Maple Grove area.  I was able to gut my way through the course finishing in 1:34:31 setting a new PR and good enough for 20th overall among 600 runners and first in my age group. My best half marathon time prior to this was 1:37:20 in August.  This race began on the Maple Grove HS track and finished with one final lap around the track after touring the Maple Grove area.  It was a miserable day for a race though.  I felt sorry for the volunteers who stood out on the course officiating the event. 

http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=10744&relist_record_type=result&lower_bound=0&upper_bound=570&use_previous_sql=1&group_by=default#racetop