Fargo Half Marathon 2009 - The Rest of the Story

So. Fargo Half Marathon. Thought I better finish recapping this race since, you know, I AM RUNNING A MARATHON TOMORROW. And I might want to recap it sometime before 2010, so I might as well get Fargo out of the way.

Um...Yeah, the bad part about finishing a race recap two weeks after it happened? Is that you forget stuff.

So here is the abbreviated race recap:

Kim and I started together. We ran our first mile at a 10:30 pace. I was sad to see such a slow split - I figured my chances at a PW were practically locked in. So I vowed to stop looking at the Garmin.

You can imagine my surprise several miles later when Kim mentioned that we should probably slow down - because we were running an 8:45 pace that mile. Wait, WHAT?

Back in the game.

I continued to ignore the Garmin - I only peeked a few times to check my heart rate.

We continued to feel strong throughout the rest of the race...finishing with negative splits.

And Billy Bob Buck Teeth. That's right, Internet. I ran with the teeth in my pocket and busted them out for my official finishers photo. MissAllycat: Oozing class since 2007.

I completely owe this PR to Kim - I wouldn't have pushed as hard if she wasn't there, being my rabbit. She pulled me through the entire race. Thanks, Kim...you rock!

So yeah. An accidental PR. I went into the race with low expectations and no pressure, and ran strong and steady. What a sweet victory. :)

Mile 1: 10:30
Mile 2: 10:05
Mile 3: 9:55
Mile 4: 9:30
Mile 5: 9:20
Mile 6: 9:19
Mile 7: 9:32
Mile 8: 9:21
Mile 9: 9:28
Mile 10: 9:34
Mile 11: 9:33
Mile 12: 9:30
Mile 13: 9:05
Mile 13.21: 1:42 (8:16 pace)

Official Finish Time: 2:06:29
Distance: 13.21 (according to Garmina)
Average HR: 169