The Honor Run Half was on November 12, 2017 in Florence, Kentucky. I was on track for another PR until I strained my back a week before the race.

Prep

As usual, I followed a modified Hal Higdon Intermediate-2 Plan. I hit all of my training paces through the cycle. I was a week ahead of the schedule, so my last long run was 13.02 miles (I didn’t stop at 13.0 because of perceived unlucky… boy, was I wrong!)

The day after the last long run, I was doing yard work (I like mowing the lawn on the day after my long run because it’s a bunch of non-strenuous walking). My back started bothering me and was in full-on strain mode the following day.

My taper week consisted of zero miles. In fact, I was tempted to take a DNS. However, by Saturday my back felt okay, so I decided to run, but keeping it easy.

The morning of consisted of two slices of toast with peanut butter and honey and a cup of coffee for the drive to Florence.

Goals

Originally, I had these goals:

A: 1:43

B: 1:45

C: 1:50

However, after the back strain, I abandoned all hope of any of them and just wanted to finish a good run.

Race

The race temperature was about 35°F. I wore shorts, last year’s Honor Run Half shirt, gloves, and a running hat. Roughly 15 minutes before the race, I took a Gu and ran into a fellow Twitter Runner.

Part 1: Miles 1 to 4

I kept it easy by feel. This part isn’t too bad with hills, but it is not flat (there is nothing flat in Northern Kentucky). I took water at mile 4.

8:18, 8:17, 8:20, 8:24

Part 2: Miles 5 to 8

This part felt tougher. There is a portion through Turfway Park that was rough and I was feeling it in my back. There is a tight hairpin turn at mile 6, and a pretty significant uphill from 6 to 8. I took Gu in mile 7, and water at mile 8.

8:31, 8:28, 8:48, 8:41

Part 3: Miles 9 to 13.1

There is a hairpin turn at mile 9, mile 10 is almost entirely uphill, and the hills in miles 11 and 12 are the steepest in the race. I had to squash some negative thoughts through this part.

8:49, 8:33,8:46,8:41,8:36, 0:53

Total: 1:52:01

After

First off, this is the biggest medal I’ve ever received!

I didn’t eat much, but I drank 3 cups of coffee (to warm up!), and half a bottle of water that I finished on the way home, I also drank a Gatorade on my way home. I had my heat on high on my way home, and even sat in front of the fireplace while waiting for the bathroom to be free.

Post-Run Thoughts

I should have probably taken Gu around mile 5 and 10 instead of once at mile 7. I think it was a little too late and my pace suffered as a result.

Running up the big-ass hill really helped with the hills.  I felt strong on every one of them.

This is the end of the 2017 season for me.  At this point, it will be more maintenance to keep up fitness and prepare for marathon training.

Cheers!