Fairfield 1/2 marathon photos -June 22, 2008

well, as Rob Ingleterra said 'I haven't run this half marathon in 4 years and it's still the same hot and humid weather' -and, he should add, still the same hills. After some great socializing I lined up with Frank and Craig (from RW forums) and off we went --I knew we were working too hard to run a 7:16 first mile (after the 50 miler in the heat and on pavement which wiped us out) --Frank wisely dialed it back while I pushed on, only to feel that i wanted to drop out at mile 5 --I had just had it. I walked,had some water, got my breathing back, and continued --it had to be 99 percent humidity! So with the conditions the way they were, it was not about time but about survival, and making it to the finish line in one piece -I can usually hold it together but this was bad --a couple miles were 8 minutes or so --mile 10 was up a big hill --but Marty was pacing some girl who I was determined to beat!! and then the last 2 miles were straight. Soaked with sweat, I saw John at the finish -we waited for Frank, Becky, Joe, etc. --no one had a good race, but who cares??? It is over:)
I just happened to win the 50-54 (1:37) so that was OK for my first 50s race, and John won 2nd in the 65-69 age division!!! and Frank got to run with Ultra friends Becky and Joe...they yelled at him that he was walking up the hills (as did I) and that he wasn't in an ultra...Pam came very close to breaking her PR on a miserable day...good job Pam!