Notes
Official time (Garmin ran: 12.92 miles at 1:25:55). For all the build-up and hype surrounding this race as a NYC marathon qualifier, the initial reaction to the final result was a real stinger and a sense of tremendous disappointment. Thinking about the reasons behind the time and analyzing the situation before and during the race, however, has provided me with a lot of clarity on what I did not do in part of my preparation for this race. Logistically, the taper week, nutrition, and pre-race meals were fundamentally sound and I went into the race well rested (check plus).
The training plan I used for the race, however, I believe put me in great marathon shape but not great half marathon shape. Concentrating a large part of week on increasing mileage and hammering twice a week long, mid-level tempo runs at a fairly conservative pace did not translate (and likely will never translate for me) into an aggressive half marathon PR. The sharpening period in the program was four weeks, but due to life getting in the way, two of my sharpening weeks had to be dropped and I received practice training at or below race pace (which was likely the most significant factor affecting today's race). In reviewing the research, past programs, and historic results, incorporating heavy doses of speedwork, hill repeats, and repetition intervals in combination with a more aggressive set of tempo runs has always left me race-ready. The fact that I had my doubts about my training schedule weeks before the race should have been the writing on the wall that I will need to assess and re-tool my training. Never again will I make the mistake of leaving a race performance to doubt based on inadequate preparation. Fortunately, for me, I get a shot at redemption in seven weeks at the Pittsburgh half marathon, where I intend to demonstrate the full power of a true peak.
The race day strategy of starting conservatively in Central Park then hammering the downhills once I was out of the park I believe is the fundamentally essential strategy for running this race, and I put myself in position to do just that (~6:29 pace at the 10K mark and end of the park loop). While my overall pace was very consistent, the pop and explosiveness that I am used to was not there today (due to the underwhelming amount of speedwork). Other than the last 1K of the race, when I opened it up for the finish (which was great and the only time I really felt like my usual self). Although my legs lacked pop, I likely could have clicked on for several more miles at my pace - which tells me that I am running efficiently (like a hybrid car) and the program would benefit me as a marathoner (although with some modifications to the speedwork aspects). The bottom line is that I need to run like a sports car with a hybrid drive not just a hybrid car. Onward and upward this year - NYC Half was still a PR, and getting a PR out of a "bad race" is still a blessing.