The Markel Richmond Half Marathon was my tenth and final race of 2017. It was also my twelfth half marathon. My half marathon PR is 1:19:33 set at the Crystal Coast Half Marathon in my hometown in 2014. My fastest half since then was the Battleship Half Marathon last year; a 1:20:36. I've been thinking about doing the full or half at Richmond for a couple years because several friends kept raving about the race, course, and weather. It's called America's friendliest marathon and the same can be said for the half. I knew several friends making the trip to Richmond for the half or full marathon this year so I decided to register and make it my target Fall race.
I had a great training cycle thanks to the personal coaching by Philip Latter of The Running Syndicate. He's been guiding me every day, week, and month since June 1, 2015 and it has made a huge difference in my running. No longer have I had to put together my own plans or modify ones from books. I did well doing that for awhile but I was getting in a rut and no longer seeing improvements. I believe you have to mix training up and throw different things at your body to improve so it doesn't get used to the same stuff. Philip's workouts have challenged me and I've been able to accomplish them even when they seemed daunting or too soon after a long run. He has a great mix and doesn't give you anything you can't handle. He knows his runners well. Thanks to him, 2017 as been a great year for me. I was able to run my fastest 8K and 10K since 2014; both being on harder courses than the ones in 2014 too. He even coached me to a great time and finish at an all uphill 5 Mile race to the top of Grandfather Mountain.
Race day parking was easy at one of the decks near the start. I recommend getting their early; I think I parked around 5:30am. I went to the Marriott lobby to hang out before the start and everyone was inside staying warm. It was nice of the hotel to allow runners inside, even those not staying there. The Zap Fitness elite team was in the lobby and I talked with them. They had runners in the 8K and half marathon. I then met my friend Duane, his wife Michelle, and their son. Michelle was running the full marathon. I also talked to another friend of mine, Carrie. She was also running the full with a goal of breaking 3 hours. She had a great training cycle as well and I knew she would accomplish her goal, it was just a matter of how much under 3 she would be.
I ate a Honey Stinger waffle as I left the hotel and had another one an hour before the 7:30am race start. 40 minutes before the race start, I did a scoop and a half of Generation UCAN. About 30 minutes before the start I headed out for an easy 1.5 miles after doing my dynamic warm-up routine. The wind wasn't bad but it was cold. It was 24 degrees when we lined up for the start where I met fellow Running Syndicate runner Antoine Fitzgerald. It might have been too cold for some people to wear shorts and a singlet but that's what I opted to wear along with arm warmers, gloves, and a beanie. I knew I would warm up once I got going and how often have you seen really fast people race in tights and long sleeves regardless of the weather?
The race started and I got out to a good start. The wave corrals made it a lot more manageable with two minutes between the start of each wave. My race plan was to run the first half at 6:08-6:10 pace and then pick it up the second half and negative split it. Philip told me negative splits was the way to go and that the second half can be 5-10 seconds a mile faster if conditions are good. I opened with a 6:08 mile.
I ate a Honey Stinger waffle as I left the hotel and had another one an hour before the 7:30am race start. 40 minutes before the race start, I did a scoop and a half of Generation UCAN. About 30 minutes before the start I headed out for an easy 1.5 miles after doing my dynamic warm-up routine. The wind wasn't bad but it was cold. It was 24 degrees when we lined up for the start where I met fellow Running Syndicate runner Antoine Fitzgerald. It might have been too cold for some people to wear shorts and a singlet but that's what I opted to wear along with arm warmers, gloves, and a beanie. I knew I would warm up once I got going and how often have you seen really fast people race in tights and long sleeves regardless of the weather?
The race started and I got out to a good start. The wave corrals made it a lot more manageable with two minutes between the start of each wave. My race plan was to run the first half at 6:08-6:10 pace and then pick it up the second half and negative split it. Philip told me negative splits was the way to go and that the second half can be 5-10 seconds a mile faster if conditions are good. I opened with a 6:08 mile.
I may have gotten a little too comfortable with my pace as I slowed some on miles two and three, running 6:13 and 6:12. It didn't feel like I had slowed any but I did and those miles were into a slight headwind. There was a little steep hill on Palmyra Ave on an overpass just after mile three. I went back to work on the downhill getting back on goal pace. The course does a down and back section after 3.5 miles. I was able to see the elites coming back and I cheered for Pardon and Nicole; the two Zap athletes in the half marathon. Miles four, five, and six clicked by in 6:10, 6:07, and 6:10. The course enters Bryan Park around 5.5 miles. It was a pretty park to run through. My 10K split was 38:22, 6:10 pace.
I felt great and comfortable as we left the park on another short steep uphill. I ran miles seven and eight in 6:02 and 6:08. It was now go time. I had Philip's advice in my head, "5-10 seconds a mile faster the second half". I attacked the final 5.1 miles. It all came together beautifully as I got in a Running Flow. I was feeling so strong and smooth as I caught and dropped runners ahead of me. I looked at my watch and saw that I was running sub 6 pace and I thought my watch was off because it just didn't feel like I was which was a good sign.
I felt great and comfortable as we left the park on another short steep uphill. I ran miles seven and eight in 6:02 and 6:08. It was now go time. I had Philip's advice in my head, "5-10 seconds a mile faster the second half". I attacked the final 5.1 miles. It all came together beautifully as I got in a Running Flow. I was feeling so strong and smooth as I caught and dropped runners ahead of me. I looked at my watch and saw that I was running sub 6 pace and I thought my watch was off because it just didn't feel like I was which was a good sign.
Finishing Fast downhill I think it was around mile 10-11 when I caught one guy, Dan Angels, and I told him to come with me as I passed him. We met after the race and he told me I helped him on the final miles because he kept me close and watched me catch people and spit them out haha. He ended up running a PR and finishing 13 seconds behind me. I was so locked in I don't know how many I caught and passed the second half. I wish Richmond tracked that because I'm sure it was a lot. I ran miles nine, ten, eleven, and twelve in 5:59, 5:59, 5:58, and 5:59. I've never felt that smooth, strong, and fast that late in a half before.
With one mile to go and I knew it was going to be close to a PR so I kept grinding away at sub 6 pace. I ran mile thirteen in 5:53 and flew down the hill to finish the last 200m at 4:51 pace. I finished in 1:19:42 for 51st overall out of 7,811. I placed 12th out of 361 in the Male 30-34 age group and placed 44th out of 2,773 males.
My race apparel worked out well. My hands were cold, even in Smartwool liner gloves, for the first couple miles but after that they were good to go. I felt comfortable in what I had on and was glad I didn't have more on when I ran the second half at sub 6 pace. I rather be a little chilly than a little warm in a race. I love running and especially racing in the cold. I'd love to have that weather for marathon.
With one mile to go and I knew it was going to be close to a PR so I kept grinding away at sub 6 pace. I ran mile thirteen in 5:53 and flew down the hill to finish the last 200m at 4:51 pace. I finished in 1:19:42 for 51st overall out of 7,811. I placed 12th out of 361 in the Male 30-34 age group and placed 44th out of 2,773 males.
My race apparel worked out well. My hands were cold, even in Smartwool liner gloves, for the first couple miles but after that they were good to go. I felt comfortable in what I had on and was glad I didn't have more on when I ran the second half at sub 6 pace. I rather be a little chilly than a little warm in a race. I love running and especially racing in the cold. I'd love to have that weather for marathon.
Nicole and Me Pardon went on to finish fifth overall in the half marathon in 1:05:32. Nicole had her best race in a couple years running 1:14:10 and was awarded the win after the disqualification of the female winner, the third place female finisher, and the overall marathon winner over their links to doping. I was so happy for Nicole and talking to her parents after and seeing how happy they were was just perfect. Two of my training partners John Barry and Gavin Finley also had fast half marathon races. John ran 1:14:52 for 28th overall and 2nd in his age group at 48 years young! Gavin ran 1:15:03 and finished 31st overall. Carrie crushed her goal and broke three hours for the first time in the marathon running 2:55:23 to get her 7th female and 2nd in her age group. Michelle also crushed her goal for the marathon and qualified for Boston Marathon. I'm always happy and inspired when friends have great races too.
I think Richmond is a perfect half marathon. Even though I just missed a PR, it is a PR course. Miles two and three were the reasons I missed my PR. Those should have been about six seconds faster each. I probably could have went out faster the first half knowing the second half was going to be so fast. The weather was great if you like cold like I do. Richmond weather is usually favorable for a fast time. The course is great as it is flat with a gradual decline after eight miles and a steep downhill finish. I don't think I would want that steep downhill finish at the end of a marathon though when balancing is not at its finest. My Garmin 920XT had the elevation gain at 295 feet. The crowd support was great even in the under 30 degrees temperature. The finisher's medal and blanket were very nice. Richmond is a must do race!
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool PhD Run Light Elite
Shoes: New Balance 1400v4
Shorts: Adidas Supernova short tight
Singlet: Adidas The Running Syndicate
Arm Sleeves: Asics arm warmers
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Gloves: Smartwool Liner Gloves
Sunglasses: Rudy Project Tralyx
Beanie: Smartwool PhD ultralight beanie
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool PhD Run Light Elite
Shoes: New Balance 1400v4
Shorts: Adidas Supernova short tight
Singlet: Adidas The Running Syndicate
Arm Sleeves: Asics arm warmers
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Gloves: Smartwool Liner Gloves
Sunglasses: Rudy Project Tralyx
Beanie: Smartwool PhD ultralight beanie
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