Race Day Richmond!

That's me on race day with 7,000 other half marathoners.  Met the Good Race team at Centenary United Methodist for a pre-race picture and check in.  Then over to Broad Street for the start of the race.

How was it?  I felt great for the first three or four miles.  I thought my pace was even and I didn't get tempted to go too fast.

Bryan Park is where I felt thrown off.  Miles 6 & 7 were here and the pavement was old and broken - not good for Vibrams-wearing runners (of which there were very few).

Through the neighborhoods north of I-64 I could tell that I was wearing down a little.  I was using my arms more to help maintain my pace.  The long stretch down Brook Road felt long, but I was getting confident that I would finish and I was not experiencing much pain from my 8-mile toe.

Miles 12 & 13 were excruciating.  The toe really acted up in the last mile and I had to grind out the ending.  But I did it.  Came in to the finish line at 2 hours 23 minutes - a record I'll try to beat on Dec.3 at the Seaside Half Marathon in Wachapreague.

All in all it has been a wonderful year.  I don't think I'm really a runner, but I have enjoyed the challenge, appreciated the support from friends and colleagues, and I've given myself something to build on in the future.  After the Seaside I think I'll hibernate in the gym, do some boxing, and start up again in earnest in February.  A full marathon seems unlikely.  But who knows?  If I get my toe sorted out and stick to a training plan, I could be back at the RIC next year for the whole enchilada.

Afterwards with my medal.  Yes, they gave a medal to the 4,000th person across the line.