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USA Half Marathon Championship

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Location:

SLC,UT,

Member Since:

Apr 28, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

PR Table and Notable Races

Marathon:
2:21:12 (Chicago); 2:20:41 (CIM)

Half Marathon: 1:05:45 (Long Beach)
10K: 30:03 (Portland)

All race results:
2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016

Personal:

   

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: USA Half Marathon Championship (13.1 Miles) 01:07:26, Place overall: 55
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
18.000.000.00

Not really a stellar time on the fast Houston course, but as long as I can look back on this as my slowest race of the year, I'll take it. Targeted 16:00 5K splits and was pretty much dead on - had a little lapse from 15K to 10 miles, but otherwise ran very consistently. The effort never felt that hard, but when you haven't run under 5:10 pace in two months, it's kind of hard to get moving quicker than that.

5K Splits - 16:01, 15:55, 15:58, 16:08

Fast race(s) today. Close to 60 OT qualifiers combined M/W.

I finished pretty much at the back of the race, which isn't exactly something for me to be proud of... but I feel like I'm actually at a good starting point for 2014. Last year I ran 65:55 in January, and the next 7 months weren't any better. I was either regressing or stagnant until later in the summer. I have a good plan for the winter / spring, and I think that my incremental approach will actually get me to where I want to be.

Some additional thoughts...

When I decided to run here (registered in November) I knew I wasn't going to be in good racing shape unless I pressed right back into harder workouts after CIM. I didn't do that (which was smart), but I was also over-optimistic at the time and figured I could still run low/mid 1:06s without training for it. When I look back now, I really haven't done much work faster than MP since Indy Monumental... 11 weeks ago! If anything, I was stretching out the window in which you can run 5:00 pace without training for it at the Mesa 10K on Thanksgiving. By the time Houston rolled around, it had been way too long since I've run any LT workouts! Luckily I realized this a few weeks ago and adjusted my goals accordingly.

This may seem very ambitious to say after running one of my slowest half-marathons ever, but I really believe I'll be in range to take a serious crack at 2:17 this year if I follow through on what I have outlined. Talked to a lot of fast guys who will also be targeting the OT standard at the Grandmas Marathon.

Course - Flat and fast loop. Long straightaways, minimal turns. Lots of concrete. It was perfect. I can draw the elevation profile using my keyboard:

___________________________________

Race Organization - Just like Duluth, awesome. They take care of everything for you. I can definitely see why most athletes who ran in 2012 want the Olympic Trials to return to Houston in 2016. I was hoping we might get cowboy hats as a gift... no dice... nice pullover fleeces instead. If Andrea qualifies, we'll go back in 2015. And I will not run 1:07 again in that scenario!

MUST-DO in Houston - I highly recommend the rooftop hot tub at the Hilton Americas. Riley, Jason, and I spent a good hour there sufficiently dehydrating ourselves after the race.

Random people - to my assigned roommate, whoever you may be, thanks for not showing up! I had my own room for the weekend which was nice. I cooled down after the race with the guy who beat me by a few seconds at the Portland 10,000m in 2012 - we exchanged some words during that race (all of which started with "F"), but we're cool now :-)

Mile splits - 5:09, 5:11, 5:11, 5:03, 5:08, 5:07, 5:05, 5:10, 5:09, 5:15, 5:07, 5:11, 5:39 for the last 1.1. I wore my Garmin (I can't remember the last time I've done that in a half-marathon) to make sure I didn't go out too fast. It was useful early and then I didn't pay much attention to it after that (probably should have paid more attention in the tenth mile!). Pro-Tip: Turn off autosplits if you wear a satellite watch in a race. You'll get some relative pacing feedback but the course markers on the road are more accurate 99.9% of the time.

This is the finishing stretch of the course

Somehow I ended up wearing bib #9 on my back, which is embarrassing when you are in the absolute back of the race!

And to wrap it up, ice skating in 70 degree weather!

Comments
From Rob Murphy on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 11:53:03 from 24.10.249.34

Not bad Jake. Good perspective.

From scottkeate on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 12:17:23 from 98.202.116.66

Simply a deposit in the motivation tank. Looking forward to a healthy build up and breakthrough performances from you this year. I appreciate your perspective.

From Christie on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:10:45 from 74.213.202.246

Sticking to your own training plan for the year will pay off at your goal races... and in the mean time, you still throw down 'slow' times along the way that inspire all of us! :)

From Rachelle on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:18:19 from 159.212.71.200

Definitely not a bad starting point going into 2014 Jake. I feel like you ran about what you anticpated you were capable of so nice work. Most importantly you are 100% healthy going into the season.

From SlowJoe on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 13:49:26 from 166.137.156.41

Since you can't stay peaked all the time, this little valley may be a good thing to help you build momentum toward the important races at the end of the spring season. Utah warming up eventually won't hurt either.

From Matt Poulsen on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 17:03:52 from 174.23.170.216

Solid, Jake! A good starting point. Great things in store for you this year.

From Andrea on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 17:23:07 from 67.177.11.154

Big picture! Hope I can be racing there next year!

From RileyCook on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 19:33:42 from 172.56.15.249

Nice race Jake, you executed your plan perfectly and looked great when you passed me like I was standing still. It was fun hanging out with you after the race. You're in for a great (fast) season.

From Kass on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 20:35:14 from 155.97.240.30

Consitent pacing and great start to the year. Lots of good things

From Tara on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 20:53:51 from 75.169.143.239

I like your positive thinking! You're season is going to be great!

From Josh E on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 21:47:39 from 75.162.251.201

Nice work. Just what you wanted and expected.

From Fritz on Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 22:11:20 from 98.202.9.237

Solid race Jake. The next 7 months should be exciting.

From Superfly on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 09:35:14 from 74.211.21.81

Another great race. Off just some "so so" training. I'm excited to see how your racing and training come together through the spring and summer. Good job man.

From Yasir on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 14:24:57 from 99.20.240.112

always positive that's why you are this good. trying to learn from you. Great job.

From Jake K on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 14:43:12 from 199.190.170.28

Thanks y'all. I added a bit more, mainly just about hot tubs and ice skating.

Now that I've got the US Champs out of the way, I should have my nerves under control for the SLC Winter Series.

From Adam RW on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 15:07:56 from 138.26.42.154

A very level headed and accurate report. I agree with you that if you stick to your plan it will work out. Too many runners hammer all out all the time only to break themselves. Nice run and outlook on 2014.

From allie on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 16:06:48 from 174.23.134.136

nice job, jake. i'm liking your incremental approach in 2014. i hope you had the chance to sneak away from houston and visit the mall in the woodlands.

winter series elevation profile (from memory):

____________________/

From KristenRuns on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 16:31:22 from 68.15.2.98

Impressed with your positive attitude after a race that didn't meet up to your expectations. That's great! Thanks for the tip re auto splits!

From Jason D on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 16:54:22 from 24.1.80.94

Nice race, Jake. You've gotten really good at running ~5:10 pace. "Just" need to carry it over the longer distance. You will.

From Jon on Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 19:25:23 from 107.203.52.135

Slow and steady wins the race, or gets you to a 2:17.

From Paul on Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 07:30:13 from 174.29.44.114

Good icebreaker. Have fun with SLCWS.

From Scott Wesemann on Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 10:32:52 from 66.232.64.4

I'm really excited to watch your 2014. 2:17 would be awesome. I know you have the talent, drive and tenacity to do it. I love your positive perspective.

From jtshad on Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 15:05:42 from 141.221.191.225

Still strong, looking good for a big year.

From Tom Slick on Tue, Jan 21, 2014 at 19:09:38 from 69.171.160.49

Nice race considering the company your keeping! Great insightful information you've started passing along too. You describe my motto of "PPPPPP" so very well.

From CollinAnderson on Wed, Jan 22, 2014 at 02:10:10 from 70.208.17.102

Nice start to 2014. This is going to be a good year for you!

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