Real David H.

older. wiser. slower.

Missing the “it” factor

✴︎

5.20.2012

Cleveland Half Marathon bib

I don’t know if was the weather, or not knowing the course, or my allergies, or something else altogether, but I didn’t have “it” today.

The Cleveland Half Marathon will go down in my books as one of my personal worst race experiences. On a day that got hot very quickly after a few miles, I just couldn’t put the pieces together for even a good race.

: No medal-biting today, and no “gun show.” Actually, by this time I was just joking around. Nothing I can change about this race.

My finishing time of 1:54:55 doesn’t reflect a nice start and what could have been — after a very congested first mile in 8:18, I put together a solid 7:31.

I was right on target and feeling good. Then I don’t know what happened. Miles of 7:44 and 8:03 felt OK, but I started to feel like my effort wasn’t producing good times.

Around halfway, I was feeling miserable. If this course had gone back toward the start/finish area near Browns Stadium, I may have packed it in and gone with a DNF.

I pushed forward though — I remember wiping my face 7 miles or so in and I was pretty salty. That’s never happened to me in a half marathon that I can remember.

My strategy quickly shifted and became to “just finish.” I walked through every water stop, grabbing both Powerade and water. I haven’t taken a sports drink during a half in several years.

My pace was miserable — I was putting down mile times that I don’t even think about doing anymore on an easy day.

I saw two people on the course getting medical attention and a third nearly fall over around 11 miles — thankfully several runners were there to help.

I came through the finishing shoot mad that the elements won, but grateful to be finishing.

By the time I found my wife, I had already put this awful, miserable experience behind me and could laugh about it.

I didn’t have “it” today and I’m just fine with that. It was a learning experience that will only help in training runs this summer.

Live, learn, and move on to the next race …

13 responses to “Missing the “it” factor”

Mom

commented on

May 20, 2012

I had seen on the Cleveland news where the humidity was real bad. Then I looked up your results and just knew what had happened.But you finished and for that and all the other factors you have nothing to be ashamed of.
As always I am very proud of you.

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Christina

commented on

May 20, 2012

I about near completely wrote the exact same post about the 500 Mini Marathon a couple weeks ago (although you are much more faster and experienced than I). My paces by mile 4 weren’t even close to as fast as a comfortable slow run for me normally, I knew at that point the goal was only finish. My problem was the humidity/heat index and congestion for the whole 13.1 miles. It sounds like so many race reports I’m reading this Spring are hot and weather related. Congrats on sticking it out! 🙂

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Meg (@LadyMegSoprano)

commented on

May 20, 2012

So frustrating, having those days when our bodies just won’t do what we know they’re capable of! Still, you got out there and finished and have so much to be proud of. : )
Next time, you’ll kill it.

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Michelle

commented on

May 21, 2012

Sorry you didn’t have the race you wanted – seems to be a lot of that happening lately from what I’ve been reading. I know you will take what you can from this experience and come back stronger for the next one!

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Phil Settle

commented on

May 21, 2012

Been there and done that. Under 2 for a half isn’t terrible or anything though. Its just a setback, you’ve had some really strong runnin lately!

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Paulette

commented on

May 21, 2012

Heat is the worst! Way to get through it and put it behind you. From my experience with a hot hot marathon in Chicago, it makes the next races feel even easier!

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Erica

commented on

May 21, 2012

You stuck it out and finished. That’s what matters, David! The heat, humidity, and allergies seem to be setting a lot of runners back this year, myself included. Great job on finishing with the difficult elements! Keep on working hard- I know it will all pay off for you soon enough, even WITH the heat!

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LifeisaRun

commented on

May 21, 2012

Sorry to hear it turned out the way it did, but glad you are able to take away from it learning something! The heat is such a beast and surviving through a hot race in the end makes us stronger!

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Christina

commented on

May 21, 2012

I’m sorry your experience was so bad, but you did great! The heat affected a lot of runners that day – announcers were predicting top marathoners to be 10 minutes behind. For any spectators reading, this was probably the best experience for me on terms of what was provided while the runners were on the course.

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1. David H.
  
  commented on
  
  May 22, 2012
  
  So next year we get a hotel downtown, right? 🙂
  
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Jeremy

commented on

May 21, 2012

You have great perspective on this – the benefit of your many years of running. It wasn’t your day. All you can do is take your lessons and move forward. Now you have a great base and a coach – it’s time to really focus on your big fall race, after perhaps taking a little time to step away and regroup. (Given the conditions, it’s a good thing you weren’t still running the full this weekend!)

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1. David H.
  
  commented on
  
  May 22, 2012
  
  As marathon pace groups passed me, I became even more sure of that decision to change races. When the 3:40 group went by, I actually ran with them for about a quarter mile just to see how it felt. On a good day, I have that in me.
  
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Kristy

commented on

May 22, 2012

Glad when you finished you quickly put it behind you… there was nothing any of us could do out there on Sunday and it’s best to just be happy with a finish and onto the next! Congrats!!!

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