running 1:16:15 [4] 21.1 km (3:37 / km) +188m 3:28 / km
shoes: NIke Vomero
Frauenfeld half marathon.
Start in Wil, finishes in Frauenfeld. A pretty big event with about 1500 starters, and some other doing the marathon, including the military event where they had to carry an old school 303 type rifle and a pack, in full khakis (although they could wear runners). Lots of locals lining the run almost the whole way, felt like there was always someone cheering. Saw the biggest cowbell yet, 3 actually, they were about the size of a front-load washing machine drum. They were quite loud.
Only half marathons I've done are John Harding ones, so had no idea how to pace it. As it turns out I was probably a bit too fast, the perfect pace.
Course started in center of Wil, which meant a steep downhill start, which luckily phillip had warned me about the ensuing chaos. And it was fast. looked at my watch and saw 2:45 per km. Better chill out. The pace was high for quite a while as we made the most of a net downhill section, and a lot of fakers falling off. A strong wind which was often a headwind made for some tactical racing too, as we sat in bunches. Made it across a few gaps and settled in. Here the course was pretty flat and we made good pace but I was pretty sure it was gonna cost me at the end. Then came a long downhill and we saw across to some coming climbs. about this point I started developing a stitch too, probably from a bit of banana at drinks station.
So ended the easy first half. From the first climb to the end I was completely in the hurt box. our group had become just me and one other guy and I let him go and resorted to getting some recovery on the downhills. I was just wondering how the k markers could be so far apart. There were a few more climbs which were killer, then lots of downhill in the last couple k. My sides and shoulders cramped and the flat ground at the end was a relief, although I got overtaken on the finish line! But at that point I didn't care.
had a drink and about a minute later my feet were in such agony I couldn't stand up. I think the pavement pounding just pooled a heap of blood cos they're feeling better now. hobbled to get my bag, got my prize pack (pasta, honey and biscuits, awesome), and hobbled to the train station.