I was pleasantly surprised with my performance at the Suncoast Half in Lakewood Ranch yesterday. I went into the race not expecting much and planned to run nice and easy at a 10 to 10:30 pace. I lined up a little behind the 9 minute pace group at the start and was feeling fairly well, so I decided to stick with them as long as the legs felt fresh. After about 5 miles I was still feeling fresh, I looked at my heart rate and surprisingly I was below 80% of my max, so I decided to pull ahead of the pace group and go it alone. It was also at this time that I started to realize that I really needed to use the facilities!!! I tried to think about anything but this new urge to wet my running shorts during the remainder of the run by concentrating on my breathing and using straight lines along the course to make the run as short as possible. I almost stopped around mile 10, but a fellow runner beat me to the lone Porta Potty by mere seconds. At this point water/Gatorade stops were no longer an option, due to my earlier liquid consumption that was seemingly about to come full circle and no doubt not as tasty this time on the way out. Even with the bladder issues I was able to maintain a 8:50 pace for the next seven miles. The final mile I managed to run an 8:30 pace, get a medal, and use a near by Porta Potty just in the nick of time.
Suncoast Half Marathon: 13.1miles, 1hr. 57min., 8:53pace, 1751 calories, 81% max heart rate.
In closing, this is half was among the best organized that I have ever participated in. The weather was perfect, close parking, awesome course, and the after party had a great spread, including cold beer. A definite must do for local runners. I'll more than likely be back in 2014!!! Run In Peace!!!
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