Since this was my swan song to the Richmond race, I wanted to get a sub 2 and PR the course. But I haven't exactly been running stellar speeds lately, so I wasn't sure if I had it in me to sub-2 this year. Kyle encouraged me to go for it and said he would run the last 6 miles with me.
For the first 7 miles, I was just trying to keep each mile under 9 minutes and trying to make it to mile 7 where Kyle was waiting for me. I had to push myself to keep the pace, but I did pretty well the first 7 miles. Only the second mile was over 9 minutes. I thought if I could just get to Kyle, he could pace me for the rest of the race.
Then I got to mile 7 and the hilly section in Bryan Park, and started falling apart. Kyle jumped in with me, and my friends were on the sidelines cheering, but I suddenly realized how tired I was. Around mile 9 I had to stop and walk for a full minute. At mile 10 I walked a little bit more while Kyle ran to the side to get me more Gatorade. Several of those middle miles were over 9 minutes.
With only three miles left, I was still tired but I was so close! And I knew that I could still get under two hours if I ran the rest. Kyle stayed with me, but a little bit ahead to pace me, and he wouldn't let me quit! I know this race so well that running through the downtown area in the last mile felt like the end already. I knew that big downhill finish was coming up!
I crossed the finish line on Brown's Isle with a sub-2 and a PR for the Richmond course. It's my third best time for a half marathon so far. I couldn't have done it without Kyle, because honestly the entire second half of the race was a struggle! I was really thankful for the perfect race weather which made it a little better. At the end I felt sick and had to sit down for awhile. I was proud of how hard I pushed myself despite not feeling my best during a race. This was also my 30th half marathon!
Pace: 9:02
Later that day, we all went to a small beer festival and celebrated!
