OWL-DRAGON

Caesar Rodney Half Marathon

Wednesday we had what will probably be the last snow of the season. It turned out to be not much of anything. It continued cold with Friday threatening record cold but while plenty cold (19F) for my morning run it was nowhere close to the record. I chose to use the multiuse trail at Ridley because its five miles simulates Caesar Rodney. If you go left you climb steadily for two miles similar to middle miles of CR. The return leg is downhill but with short climbs interspersed with a pretty good elevation at mile 4.

Saturday warmed considerably but no running just a long walk with Max.

Spring ahead to Sunday (terrible pun I know) and the morning temps are already quite mild. It rained over night and it will be cooler than Saturday with more wind but it is still very pleasant.

I drive down to Wilmington with a friend and it is obvious that it is going to be a beautiful day.

CR is a largish race (1186 finishers) but with the feel of a smaller race. I saw lots of people I knew. First three miles are fast – I know I shouldn’t be running like that with all the hills ahead. Still it feels good. The real work begins when you enter the park. The next three miles are a steady climb through two city parks tied together by the Delaware Art Museum. When I reach Rockford Tower (the highest point in Wilmington) I know I’m home free. A couple of rolling low hills on the Rt 52 out and back then we get that long downhill back. Neil Weygandt passes me then I pass him. Wow – that’s a surprise I must be going pretty good. Neil will pass me once more and while I stay with him I can never quite catch up with this surge. Mile twelve is suddenly there – still in the park with another half mile downhill. You exit the park and make a loop to Market with a long, steep climb to the finish. Attack the hill pretty well. I am even alert enough to catch the 13 mile split. Then that short sprint to the finish watching the clock and determined to get in under 1:50. I do.

555 96 Charles Brooks M 60 Havertown PA 1:49:32 8:22 1:49:55 8:24
8/34 M60-64 456/822 M

The chip time and watch time are just one second off.

I feel great. No nausea (does that mean I didn’t push hard enough?). A young girl offers to get my chip. I get some water and a finishers medal (teeny tiny but hey I’ll take it) and wait for Mukund (who ran a crazy race slow, fast, slow). Halfs are really great – you ran hard and long but aren't so beat up that you won’t be able to run right away.

We socialize a bit and then head back for a great feature of this race – a nice hot shower at the Wilmington YMCA. I love going home all cleaned up and fresh.

I never expected to run this race with all its hills this fast. I am looking forward to the Washington National Marathon (where I will do the half) which should be a much flatter course. Can I push it to 1:48? I hope the weather and weekend is just as beautiful as today.