Chi Town Half Marathon Race Report

RichardAaronson · April 4, 2015 6:19PM

Also posted in the JOS Forum:

Today I slew a dragon. My dragon was the half marathon.

Understand that my idea of an endurance event is an OLY and, as I turn 70 next month, I’m good with that. My “A” race this year is the OLY Age Group Worlds in September.

I have been remarkably compliant with JOS training, (strictly accountable to my son, Matt) and I follow everyone’s posts daily. My intermediate training goal was the Chi Town Half, an opportunity for redemption after the fiasco of my first Half attempt in 2013 when, undertrained, I limped to the finish line of the Chicago Half in 2:39:07.

Recently, the various calculators suggested that I was capable of a sub-two hour Half, given the miracle of work, working. It was a great day for racing with starting temperatures in the mid 30’s, light winds and bright sunshine. I’m happy to report that I crossed the finish line in 1:59:27 with Matt at my side, whipping me for the last half mile. Finishing first in my age group (out of 8) was an added bonus.

Lessons learned:

1. The core routine has been key in allowing me to maintain form, especially in longer runs.

2. I credit the Myrtle exercises for helping to keep me injury free this season, a huge win for me.

3. One session with a running coach in 2014 transformed my pathetic mechanics and quickly shaved 30 seconds per mile off my time, an improvement that I have been able to build on.

Thanks, EN. Good luck to everyone in the coming season.