Robert Swanwick – DCRRC Gar Williams Half Marathon – Sunday, December 17, 2017

First of all this race is a gem. Right near my house, only $10 (free for DCRRC), plenty of parking, and just the right distance for me. I haven't raced anything longer than a 10k in decades and my training runs have been around 8miles so I decided to not push it. Figured I would aim for 6:45/mile and then speed up in second half if went well. Race is on the C&O canal tow path. Bunch start so a bit slow for the first 1/4 mile, but not too bad as everyone goes out a bit fast. Couldn't find anyone going just the right speed to draft behind. Tried to stay with one guy who passed me, but he was about 5 secs /mile to fast so I didn't push it. Out and back race so I got a chance to see the leaders coming back. Was feeling good so I picked up the effort above my lactic threshold, but because the path is uphill on the way back, pace did not increase. Passed several on the way back, but we were pretty spread out by then. Passed what I thought was a 40-50 in the last two miles, but turned out to be the lead 50+! Harder to run on the semi-loose gravel than pavement, but definitely a race that I will return to. Even gave me a $5 starbucks card for winning my division. 🙂