The Chambersburg Half has been and will always be a special race to me. 4 years ago it was my very first race when I was only barely starting to learn how to run. A cold, windy and rainy Saturday which made for “perfect” race conditions.:) At that point it was farthest I had ever run and probably needed my head examined to make a half marathon my first ever race. I remember my whole body hurting afterwards that day and the days that followed. I feel every time I come back to this race it brings my running full circle as this was where it essentially began. I’ve come a long way since then.
This would be my fourth Chambersburg Half and was basically using this race as a tune-up for my next marathon at Ocean Drive in Cape May, NJ on March 30th. Training has been solid this cycle even with winter being as bad as it has been forcing me to run a lot of miles on the treadmill. Still I’ve been able to log lot of miles on this course just not as many as I would like. Still thought a PR was possible with as well as training has gone even if my legs were not as well rested if this was a goal race for me.
Slept pretty good the night before no matter how many times you race you always get some nervous race day butterflies. I went thru my normal race day routine and headed out to race. Picked up my race shirt and race number and chatted with some running friends before heading out for my warm-up mile. Weather was ideal for an early March race unlike the last few weeks have been with this frigid winter this year. A little chilly on my warm-up but not tolerable with low 40s by time I was looking to finish.
Made my way up to start talking to some friends along the way and lined up near the front of the pack. Race director made some announcements and the 35th Annual Chambersburg Half Marathon was underway.
Miles 1-4 –always with this race just trying to find my pace that first mile. Traditionally with this race it’s always a fast split for me as there is a good downhill the first part of mile. Shooting for a 7:15 split that first mile but came in just under 7 at 6:57. I slowed it down at Miles 2-3 leading up to the major hills on Henry and Springview. Mile 2 right at 7:14 but probably too conservative at Mile 3 at 7:33 going up worst hill of course on Springview. I made up for it at Mile 4 with lot of downhill and flat stretch 7:02 split. Feeling strong at this point but splits could be a bit more consistent for my liking.
Miles 5-8 – more upclimbs but not as bad as before. Just trying to maintain a steady pace. Splits a bit more consistent at 7:21, 7:32, 7:19, & 7:21. At the turn around out-n-back started to hit some bad headwind. Miles 7-9 always the case with this course with the open farmland terrain. By Mile 8 definitely feeling fatigued a bit and just trying to hold a steady pace.
Miles 9-12 – I really started to slow down in Miles 9-10. Mile 9 is always a bad stretch going back up Springview. My running buddy Terry found me on course and ran with me to help support and push me to finish. Miles 9 & 10 leading to pinnacle of Springview hill were my roughest splits at 7:40 & 7:56. Still thought I had a slim chance at a PR and very least a course PR. Nice downhill Springview to propel up Henry and rest of the way which is mostly downhill to finish. Miles 11 & 12 at 7:05 (thanks Springview) & 7:14.
Mile 13 to Finish – gave it all I had left to the finish and found my kick with a 6:56 split & 6:51 for the .1. I came thru shoot in 1:36:04 good enough for a course PR and my 2nd fastest half marathon just off by 1:24. End of the day I can live with that.
Not the greatest run half by any stretch but good test with my marathon coming up. This was not a goal race and probably asking too much (as usual) from myself for a PR effort on this tough challenging course especially at the end of a cycle when I am running lot of miles and on tired legs to boot. Different story if this was a goal race, but just a small piece of the BIG picture and getting to Boston. On a flatter course and rested legs I think I have a PR effort in me.
Thanks for reading.
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