I’ve seen that time before, and it was back in 2006…. Official results of today’s race here. It was a great half marathon for me this sunny February morning in San Francisco. Simply stunning route around Golden Gate park and back & forth Great Hwy with Pacific on the side. No wind to speak of. Tons of participants and always somebody to chase or to run along.
My time means overall 3.30 per km pace, which is pretty good. First nine miles in 5.33 per mile average pace, then started to fade mile by mile. Next ones went in 5.44, 5.48, 5.52 and the final 1.1 miles in 6.37(!). I had to let two guys pass in the final stretch but it was ok as the first one was Matthew Tompkins I trailed and edged in a 10K race back in the fall, and the second one Chikara Omine everyone cheered for by name during the course. My final position was 12th. A quick speculation says if I’d kept that 5.33 pace to the end I could’ve been close to PB. This time basically my back leg muscles kinda limited the speed and made sure I had no kick left. I had trained rather easy after the latest track workout I posted about. I’d definitely improve with more time on the track. Also, I have a lot of work to do with these legs before I can imagine of chasing a sub 2.40 in full marathon.