This was the seventh year of the Crystal Coast Half Marathon and there were some changes and additions to this years race on March 1, 2014. The start/finish line was moved to Evans and 6th Street in front of Ruddy Duck Tavern, just a block away from the start/finish in previous years. The race added a 10K to go along with the half marathon and 5K. Runners in the past wanted to run over the Atlantic Beach high rise bridge but didn't want to do a half marathon so the addition of a 10K gave them the opportunity. I've run this race every year and it is my favorite race in my hometown.
Unfortunately, this race has bad luck with weather. I think it has rained in all by two years and been windy in all of them. This year we got a break from the rain. It was still cold and windy but the wind was a lot less than what we've had to deal with in the past. The temperature was in the upper 30s with a wind chill of 31 degrees when my Dad, Jamie, and I arrived at the Morehead City waterfront for the start. The wind was out of the North at 10-15mph. That meant runners going to have to fight a headwind once we turned right off Fort Macon Road and headed back over the Atlantic Beach Bridge to Morehead City.
The course is flat minus the bridge. The bridge is at miles 5 and 11. The bridge is 400m up and 1.5 miles over and back. The course makes a three mile loop around the Morehead City Waterfront on Evans and Arendell Streets. Runners then run down Shepard Street and go over the Atlantic Beach high rise bridge and make a left onto Fort Macon Road. Runners then take a left onto Bogue Sound Drive. After doing the loop on Bogue Sound Drive, runners stay on Fort Macon Road until the turnaround. On the way back, runners don't do the Bogue Sound loop and instead stay on Fort Macon Road until a right turn onto the Atlantic Beach Causeway which takes runners back over the bridge to Morehead City. Once back in Morehead City, you take a right back onto Arendell Street and head to the finish line on Evans Street.
Unfortunately, this race has bad luck with weather. I think it has rained in all by two years and been windy in all of them. This year we got a break from the rain. It was still cold and windy but the wind was a lot less than what we've had to deal with in the past. The temperature was in the upper 30s with a wind chill of 31 degrees when my Dad, Jamie, and I arrived at the Morehead City waterfront for the start. The wind was out of the North at 10-15mph. That meant runners going to have to fight a headwind once we turned right off Fort Macon Road and headed back over the Atlantic Beach Bridge to Morehead City.
The course is flat minus the bridge. The bridge is at miles 5 and 11. The bridge is 400m up and 1.5 miles over and back. The course makes a three mile loop around the Morehead City Waterfront on Evans and Arendell Streets. Runners then run down Shepard Street and go over the Atlantic Beach high rise bridge and make a left onto Fort Macon Road. Runners then take a left onto Bogue Sound Drive. After doing the loop on Bogue Sound Drive, runners stay on Fort Macon Road until the turnaround. On the way back, runners don't do the Bogue Sound loop and instead stay on Fort Macon Road until a right turn onto the Atlantic Beach Causeway which takes runners back over the bridge to Morehead City. Once back in Morehead City, you take a right back onto Arendell Street and head to the finish line on Evans Street.
Justus sees a kitty against the window This was my first half marathon in 2008. Even with less than ideal weather conditions for this race I've still ran some fast times here. My current PR of 1:20:16 was set here in 2010 and I followed that up with a 1:20:17 in 2011. Last year I ran a 1:20:20 and placed 2nd overall. In the previous six years I have placed 2nd, 4th, 2nd, 4th, 1st, and 2nd overall at this race.
My goal for this race was to break 1:20. I've been chasing sub 1:20 for awhile and felt like I would have gotten it already if it wasn't for some of the wind at this race in the past. I could have picked different half marathons but I like this race and wanted to break 1:20 in my hometown.
I started my pre-race warmup routine around 7:30 am. After doing my dynamic stretching I headed off on the race course for an easy 1.5 miles into the cold wind. Since it was cold and windy I opted to race in the 2XU compression shorts. I haven't raced in them before but I have done training runs in them. I figured they would be warmer and better in the wind than my usual Nike split short. I also had on my highlighter yellow Capital RunWalk singlet with matching arm-warmers, gloves, and my Indianapolis Monumental Marathon toboggan. I debated between the Adidas Adizero Adios and the Adidas Adizero Boston 3 shoes as my race shoe. I opted for the Boston 3 for the extra cushioning. The Boston 3 isn't as light as the Adios but it's still a fast feeling shoe. I love that shoe and ran my 2:50:43 marathon PR in them last November.
My goal for this race was to break 1:20. I've been chasing sub 1:20 for awhile and felt like I would have gotten it already if it wasn't for some of the wind at this race in the past. I could have picked different half marathons but I like this race and wanted to break 1:20 in my hometown.
I started my pre-race warmup routine around 7:30 am. After doing my dynamic stretching I headed off on the race course for an easy 1.5 miles into the cold wind. Since it was cold and windy I opted to race in the 2XU compression shorts. I haven't raced in them before but I have done training runs in them. I figured they would be warmer and better in the wind than my usual Nike split short. I also had on my highlighter yellow Capital RunWalk singlet with matching arm-warmers, gloves, and my Indianapolis Monumental Marathon toboggan. I debated between the Adidas Adizero Adios and the Adidas Adizero Boston 3 shoes as my race shoe. I opted for the Boston 3 for the extra cushioning. The Boston 3 isn't as light as the Adios but it's still a fast feeling shoe. I love that shoe and ran my 2:50:43 marathon PR in them last November.
Start of the half marathon The 10K started first at 8:00am. The half was up next at 8:10. I felt good as I lined up on the front line. I looked around and didn't notice anyone that looked fast. The race field size also looked smaller than previous years. I did see Robbie Bass, a Capital RunWalk teammate behind me along with another guy and two women in Capital RunWalk apparel too. My friend Heidi lined up with me and we talked as another friend, Eric Rowe, came up and encouraged me to break 1:20. The race started and I was out front with Heidi right behind me. Since I didn't think there was anyone to push me I focused on pacing off the race director, Butch Robertson, as he was the lead cyclist for the runners.
It was a little windy starting out but the houses were blocking some of it. I was all alone out front but wasn't sure by how much. I didn't hear or see anyone behind me the few times I took a glance back on the turns. I kept my focus on my goal of sub 1:20 as I ran the first mile in 6:02, right on goal pace with some seconds to spare. I felt a strong side wind on mile two as I ran down Arendell Street. Mile two was ran in 6:06. I made my way back to the starting area where the 5K was about to start. I thought they would have started by the time I got back but it hadn't. Butch yelled for them to start it and then he yelled at me to follow him. The 5K started just as I was coming through around 2.5 miles. I had to navigate my way through the 5K runners. Butch did a great job on his bike of creating a clear path through the 5K runners. Some runners did a great job moving to the far right so I didn't really lose any time dodging them. I kept running hard, following Butch and the lead police SUV ahead of him. I was feeling great and still all alone up front as I ran mile three in 5:45. It was a little too fast but it felt good and I knew I was going to lose some time going back over the AB bridge at 11 miles.
It was a little windy starting out but the houses were blocking some of it. I was all alone out front but wasn't sure by how much. I didn't hear or see anyone behind me the few times I took a glance back on the turns. I kept my focus on my goal of sub 1:20 as I ran the first mile in 6:02, right on goal pace with some seconds to spare. I felt a strong side wind on mile two as I ran down Arendell Street. Mile two was ran in 6:06. I made my way back to the starting area where the 5K was about to start. I thought they would have started by the time I got back but it hadn't. Butch yelled for them to start it and then he yelled at me to follow him. The 5K started just as I was coming through around 2.5 miles. I had to navigate my way through the 5K runners. Butch did a great job on his bike of creating a clear path through the 5K runners. Some runners did a great job moving to the far right so I didn't really lose any time dodging them. I kept running hard, following Butch and the lead police SUV ahead of him. I was feeling great and still all alone up front as I ran mile three in 5:45. It was a little too fast but it felt good and I knew I was going to lose some time going back over the AB bridge at 11 miles.
Robbie Bass before mile 3 I was in a good rhythm running down the waterfront on Sheppard Street as I ran mile four in 6:09. The course then turns and goes up the AB high rise bridge. I know I've said it in a lot of blog posts and will say it again but I love running the Atlantic Beach high rise bridge. I had a tailwind going up the bridge as I met some 10K runners on the way back from their turn-around. They all gave me the inside path. I wouldn't be myself if I didn't speed up running uphill and I did just that running mile five in 5:46. I had to remind myself to stay in control and now blow up as I came down and off the bridge. I got my first taste of the headwind when after turning left onto Bogue Sound Drive after the intersection at the Circle at Atlantic Beach. I wasn't on Bogue Sound Drive long but the wind was tough.
I was still leading with no signs of anyone close anyone was behind me. I stayed focused and kept clicking off the miles as I ran down Fort Macon Road towards Fort Macon State Park. The wind was at my side and I was still feeling good. I was just simply in the zone and not having anyone beside me pushing me or ahead of me for me to chase wasn't bothering me. I ran miles seven and eight in 5:57 and 6:02. I rounded the turn around shortly after eight miles and saw my competition. Second place wasn't as far back I as I thought he was. He must have picked up the pace a lot since the race started. This gave me a challenge because I still wanted to win the race especially after leading for as long as I had. I knew my pace was staying consistent but I didn't see the mile nine marker. My Garmin was accurate so far during the race because I turned the auto lap off and was hitting the lap button at the official mile markers, like I do in all my races. My current average pace was showing I was running 5:55 so I should have seen the mile marker around 6:00. I didn't see it until 0.16 over where it should have been. Several runners after the race mentioned they thought mile 9 was really long as well. The next mile marker, mile ten was in the right spot. Mile ten was the last mile before the course turned and headed down the Atlantic Beach causeway and back over the bridge directly into the headwind. I ran mile ten in 5:57. I split ten miles in under 1:01, which was faster than the only ten miles race I've ever ran.
I was still leading with no signs of anyone close anyone was behind me. I stayed focused and kept clicking off the miles as I ran down Fort Macon Road towards Fort Macon State Park. The wind was at my side and I was still feeling good. I was just simply in the zone and not having anyone beside me pushing me or ahead of me for me to chase wasn't bothering me. I ran miles seven and eight in 5:57 and 6:02. I rounded the turn around shortly after eight miles and saw my competition. Second place wasn't as far back I as I thought he was. He must have picked up the pace a lot since the race started. This gave me a challenge because I still wanted to win the race especially after leading for as long as I had. I knew my pace was staying consistent but I didn't see the mile nine marker. My Garmin was accurate so far during the race because I turned the auto lap off and was hitting the lap button at the official mile markers, like I do in all my races. My current average pace was showing I was running 5:55 so I should have seen the mile marker around 6:00. I didn't see it until 0.16 over where it should have been. Several runners after the race mentioned they thought mile 9 was really long as well. The next mile marker, mile ten was in the right spot. Mile ten was the last mile before the course turned and headed down the Atlantic Beach causeway and back over the bridge directly into the headwind. I ran mile ten in 5:57. I split ten miles in under 1:01, which was faster than the only ten miles race I've ever ran.
Justus wants a cookie I felt the headwind as soon as I turned right onto the Atlantic Beach causeway. It was strong but wasn't as bad as previous years. It was a challenge and I knew I had to do the best I could in it because I was sure second place was gaining and possibly going to draft me going into the wind over the bridge. Mile eleven is tough enough going uphill on the bridge but the headwind made it tougher. It felt like I was running harder than the pace on my Garmin was telling me. I ran mile eleven in 6:20, not bad considering the wind.
I was still leading when I came off the bridge and made the right turn back onto Arendell Street. The pace on my Garmin was reflecting not being in the headwind anymore as I was back to under 6:00 min/mile pace. I ran mile 12 in 6:08, still leading but second place was closer. He gained a lot on me since we came off the bridge.
I was still leading when I came off the bridge and made the right turn back onto Arendell Street. The pace on my Garmin was reflecting not being in the headwind anymore as I was back to under 6:00 min/mile pace. I ran mile 12 in 6:08, still leading but second place was closer. He gained a lot on me since we came off the bridge.
Finishing with a new half PR! I picked the pace up when I heard him on my heels. I tried doing a surge to drop him but he was holding on right behind me. Second place made a move on me around 12.7 miles. He pulled out from behind and passed me. He was booking it an pulling away from me. I was currently on pace for my fastest mile of the race. It was a strong move he put on me. I chased him as we turned back onto the waterfront with the finish line in our sights. I knew I wasn't going to catch him as he was about 20 seconds ahead of me when I checked when we turned. I ran the mile 1.12 miles in 6:20, which is 5:41 min/mile pace. I finished second overall in 1:19:33 out of 189 finishers! I was thrilled I finally got the sub 1:20.
Heidi winning the women's half This was Heidi's third time winning the Crystal Coast Half Marathon.
Robbie Bass finished 16th overall and 2nd in his age group in 1:38:02.
Despite the wind, Eric Rowe finished with a new PR!
I met the winner, Eric Rasmussen, after the race. Eric's winning time was 1:19:21, 15 seconds ahead of me. He's from Wilmington and has a 2:36 marathon PR. He owns a very cool company that takes people on active adventure trips all over the world including the Inca Trail Marathon, one of the hardest races in the world.
Robbie Bass finished 16th overall and 2nd in his age group in 1:38:02.
Despite the wind, Eric Rowe finished with a new PR!
I met the winner, Eric Rasmussen, after the race. Eric's winning time was 1:19:21, 15 seconds ahead of me. He's from Wilmington and has a 2:36 marathon PR. He owns a very cool company that takes people on active adventure trips all over the world including the Inca Trail Marathon, one of the hardest races in the world.
Capital RunWalk post race Even though I placed 2nd overall and didn't win I got the time I wanted. I won the race in 2012 so the time goal was more important to me than winning. I told Jamie and some friends if I got second or third but got the sub 1:20 I would be happy and I was. The course may have been a little long this year but it was still a great race for me. The weather was great in my opinion. Yes, it was cold and windy but it's only the third time it hasn't been raining for this race. Like I said earlier, I prefer the cold and the temperature didn't bother me at all. The wind did slow everyone down but there were still a lot of great performances. The total finishers was smaller than previous years and I hated to see that. I love this race and think NC Races does a great job organizing it. For placing second place overall I received a $75 gift card to New Balance Raleigh - Durham that I will probably use on the NB 890 version 4 running shoe. It's a great shoe for intervals, tempos, goal marathon pace long runs, and even racing.
This was my ninth half marathon and all but two have been at this race. The two that weren't were the Run For The Booty Half in Greenville, NC which no longer exists, and the New Bern Bridge Run Half. I may be biased because it's my hometown but the Crystal Coast Half Marathon is better than those two and I think it's one of the best halfs around for the money.
This was my ninth half marathon and all but two have been at this race. The two that weren't were the Run For The Booty Half in Greenville, NC which no longer exists, and the New Bern Bridge Run Half. I may be biased because it's my hometown but the Crystal Coast Half Marathon is better than those two and I think it's one of the best halfs around for the money.
Bear's presence at the race Now onto something spiritual that ties in with this race. Jamie and I adopted a Beagle, named Bear, in February of last year. Bear had several medical issues but we gave him a great life with us but he passed away last November. He's been in our thoughts a lot since then. I've randomly seen him laying on the deck of our apartment and in some of his other spots but as soon as I acknowledge I saw him he's gone. Maybe I'm crazy or maybe it's his way of letting us know he's still with us and a presence in our life. Anyways, Jamie noticed a charter boat docked on the Morehead City waterfront while I was running this race. The name on the boat was "Beagle Charters". After the race Jamie showed me the boat. I've ran in this area a lot and never noticed the Beagle Charters boat docked there before. I'm taking it as a sign that Bear was with me as I set my half marathon PR and finally broke 1:20. Jamie wrote her thoughts about the experience in her new blog Never2late2tri.
Me, Jamie, and Justus after the race
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