See me and my headlights? Heh. Thanks Maine Running Photos on Facebook. You guys are the best.

So this was my fifth half-marathon. Two years ago, I did the event that was the predecessor to this event, the L-A Duathalon, and arguably that was the genesis of my road racing. So it was a special day for me.

It wasn’t my best race and it wasn’t my worst race. It was a challenging course and the weather was challenging, too. I knew I wasn’t in the best condition for this race.

But I’m just really happy. I’m happy that I can even run a half-marathon, I’m happy to toe the starting line, and I’m happy for the opportunity to just check in with myself and test my mettle.

Final result: 2:15.17, 20 minutes slower than my PR. It was hard.

The splits:

• 1 – 9:34/150
• 2 – 10:02/154
• 3 –  9:44/156
• 4 – 10:03/157
• 5 – 10:30/161
• 6 – 10:13/162
• 7 – 10:44/161
• 8 – 10:02/161 (this was a very long, hot mile)
• 9, 10, 11 – 10:41/163 (there were no mile markers on the course for those miles to take splits. Total was 31:31)
• 12 – 10:15/163
• 13 – 11:31/157 (I had some serious nausea here and walked)
• 0.1 – 1:05/159

Avg. HR for the whole was 159. I did not really look at my watch at all for my heart rate on the whole course. I ran by my breath — out three strides and in for two — and focused on good form and body sensing.

I was working hard but not as hard as my last PR. Better weather, flatter course, more positive attitude. I ended the race with some serious nausea. Not gas, but nausea. A little time and water after the race took care of that — the heat did me in, always does — but I think I handled it well, all things considered.

Random observations:

• The course was lovely. They did a good job keeping it along the river, which was shady and cool. There were tons of spectators and I really enjoyed the bands.
• I went without music so I could experience the bands and I’m so glad I did! I felt bad for the people who brought iPods. The best band was the one at the Auburn plaza, playing reggae.
• That also allowed me to dump cups of water over my head without worrying about my electronics. That was wonderful.
• I need to run more on the River Road in Auburn and on the trail in Lewiston. Where have these routes been all my life?!
• I was working on a big project for work most of yesterday and realized that I forgot to really carb load, so I tried to make up too much too late. Even Pop-Tarts need time to digest. If I was smarter about that I don’t think I would have been so nauseous.
• I thought about one of my favorite bloggers, Run this Amazing Day, competing in her first IronMan right now. How I would love to do that one day. And this was just a little half-marathon, right …? I can get through this, I told myself at mile 12, thinking that I could be halfway into a century ride preceding a marathon right now.
• I think maybe one day I want to consider getting a trainer. I want someone who can tell me when to push it and when to hold back. But I don’t know if that’s a guarantee that I will go faster. So I don’t think that day is here yet.
• I’d rather end a race feeling like I gave too much too early (today, ish) then that I had too much left over (the women’s half).
• There was a wave start, where the women got a 10-minute head start on the guys. I’ve decided I wasn’t a fan of this, because it meant that people (guys) were passing me the whole race. Well, that felt great.
• I didn’t drink any alcohol in the last 7 days in preparation for this race. I don’t think alcohol has much impact on my performance — I’ve had my best races with a beer the night before — but it’s been good for my self-image and my psyche. I think I’ll keep it going awhile longer.
• I would have rather done the LA-DU but this was still a very, very cool race and I could tell that a lot of work had gone into it. Great job, Museum L-A!

And last, I leave you with this pin. Seems appropriate.

You might be interested in: