Sunday April 11, 2010 was a great day! I had been enjoying a good weekend of productive rehearsals with the Metropolitan Winds when race dawned early on Sunday morning. After all of the chaos of Cowtown, I was determined not to get caught up in another traffic snafu so we left the house super early. My mind was set at ease when we arrived at Fair Park and did not encounter any lines when entering the park and parking. It was somewhat odd being in Fair Park without the State Fair being there. The race started near where Big Tex usually stands, yet he wasn't present for the festivities. Wouldn't it have been cool if he had given us the "ready, set, go"?
Because we were super early, we had plenty of time to mill around, complete all of the prerace rituals and find our friends Liza, Vi, and Ben. The weather was a little warm for running and the humidity was fairly high. However, the running gods were looking out for us as the sun never did break through the clouds.
The start of races are always hectic and make me a little nervous. It is tricky to pass the people who are slower than you while trying to move out of the way of those who are faster. I just know that I am going to trip and fall on my face one of these days. This race was no different, but things thinned out pretty soon and we were able to settle into a pace. The pace that we settled into was a little quicker than we usually run, but at the same time it didn't feel impossible. Erik, Vi, and I all started together but began to pull apart after 3-4 miles. I started to feel a little bit uncomfortable with the pace that Erik set and fell back just a little bit. He was almost always in my line of sight and I was only 10 seconds behind him for a good part of the race.
The course was quite challenging--downright hilly for Dallas--but I really enjoyed all of the scenery. I saw parts of Dallas that I have never seen before. There were parks and cute neighborhoods and now I know how close White Rock Lake is to Fair Park. I saw some amazing homes along Swiss Avenue and a one-room church near Fair Park. The crowds were thick in some places and it is always great to hear the cheers. Somewhere around mile 7 we hit an amazing hill--not quite as big as that hill in Austin, but still pretty formidable. A guy just over my shoulder was huffing and puffing and moaning. I worried for a bit about my mental game and tried to get away from him.
I felt challenged the entire way, the hills and humidity were quite a combination. I am not acclimated to the warmer temperatures yet, but I guess that warmer weather is inevitable. I checked my pace as I hit the mile markers and after a while I knew that I was on a pace to beat my PR from White Rock (1:57:18). I kept reminding myself that it was mine for the taking, to just keep on running and with each mile my excitement grew. By mile 11 I was certain that I would PR, I just didn't know by how much. I think that I have gotten much stronger mentally in the final 3 miles. I try to think of it as a 5K and just keep going. Those miles were my worst when I first started running half marathons. It just goes to show you that running is just as much a mental game as it is physical. Good training pays off.
Erik, Liza, and Ben were waiting for me at the finish line and I think that Erik was quite surprised to see me so close behind him. I finished about 53 seconds behind him, the closest ever for a half marathon. I was even more stoked to look at my watch and see 1:54:51!! I never dreamed of a sub 1:55 race! Did that really just happen?
It was my first time to run the Big D Half and I really think that it might be one of my favorites. Certainly I am biased as it was my best half marathon race yet, but I think that there is more to it. I loved starting at Fair Park and running through some of Dallas's oldest neighborhoods. There was lots of food and free samples in the automobile building when the race was finished. The medals and t-shirts were not fancy, but it didn't matter. The race had a really nice, friendly feel to it. This one is a keeper for future race calendars.
So there you have it, half marathon number 12 is in the books. That makes number 5 for 2010, putting me half way to my goal of 10. I am thrilled beyond belief with my new PR. I went on to play a wonderfully fun wind ensemble concert at the Meyerson that night. Looks like there is something to that music and running combination! I just wish that the runner's lifestyle and musician's lifestyle were a better mix. Sunday was a very long day--up at 5:00 am and to bed after 1:00 am, but I wouldn't trade a second of it. I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to take part in two very fulfilling activities.
Next up, Heels and Hills Half Marathon on May 2. I am looking forward to it as the course is much flatter than the Big D course. Dare I dream of a new PR so soon? Only time will tell....
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