- Site:
- http://www.athlinks.com/racer/75519339/Matt-Jacobson.aspx
- Miles:
- 3462 total / 328 in 2012
- Goal:
(1) HAVE FUN. (2) Run further than ever before -- the Ice Age 50-miler in May. (3) Run 2,000 miles in 2012. (4) Qualify for Boston, eventually.
Matt J. ran: 8 MINUTE PR!!! 1:25:0...
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- 13 miles
- 01:25 time
- 06:29 pace
- 1222 calories
- details
8 MINUTE PR!!! 1:25:06!!
25th place and qualified for Corral A at the Chicago Marathon!
Race report:
What a phenomenal race, a culmination of all my hard training over the winter and a successful taper. I set out today with a goal of sub-1:30, which would have been a nice PR in itself. But my stretch goal, after plugging in my 10K time into the McMillan Calculator, was 1:26. I beat that by a minute by racing smart and staying consistent. And of course, holding on at the end when I heard footsteps closing in from behind!
Even though it was a little cold for spectators, runners had to appreciate the 45-50 degree start temp. It was warm enough to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt and warm up in the first couple miles. This half marathon is a serious showcase for local talent -- looking at last year's results was astounding, and this year the class of runners didn't disappoint. I was only slightly intimidated. What was tough was recognizing runners around me that I knew were faster than me from races earlier in the year, but knowing that I was primed for a big race and should be able to stay with them.
It was a low budget race, but had a great turnout because it only cost $10-15 and is one of the first spring half marathons in the area. It's also a nice course and pretty flat. By the time the race started, my adrenaline level was sky high and I was ready to go. I decided to start at my stretch goal pace of 6:35 and see how it felt to sustain it. I was a little worried at first, but once we were a couple miles in I settled into a groove and targeted runners around me that I could stick with.
Things got a little sketchy after the 6 mile water stop. The leaders had made it back from the turnaround point and grabbing a cup of water proved to be chaotic. I didn't even bother grabbing anything to drink until mile 8 since I had hydrated well yesterday and this morning. I combined that with a gel right before the water stop and I was good to go, stopping only briefly to actually drink some of the water.
Around that time, the small handful of runners I was running alongside became scattered and I found myself alone for the last 3-4 miles. I knew I wasn't going to try to catch the guy way ahead of me, as I was already hitting my splits and didn't want to stray from that strategy. I felt like I was slowing somewhat, yet every time I looked down at my watch I was in the 6:20s. Then I made the decision that if I felt good enough, I would go all out the final 1.1 mile and see if I could get under 1:26.
The last mile was beautiful, right next to Lake Michigan on a nice wide path leading up to the finish. I kept hearing footsteps behind me but I was confident I had enough left in the tank to hold off the attempted pass. Then I saw my family -- my mom, dad, grandma, and Skip were at the perfect spot to give me an extra boost a half mile or so from the finish (I coached them on where to go...lol). I gave a little pose for the camera, then took off like a man on a mission. I busted out a 6:11 pace in the 12th mile and a 5:36 pace sprint finish the last 0.1. I looked at my watch and smiled big, letting out a sigh of relief at the same time for the grueling race I just ran.
It was great to see a ton of people I knew at the race -- it was like some kind of running reunion! Rochelle, Annie, and Marty gave me some support before the race and on the way back after the turnaround. I saw an old running buddy from MSOE (who I never could beat in the race and still can't....he was 6th place with a 1:19!). Tom Held, the JS Off the Couch blogger who seems to be everywhere! Malinda, who had a killer 8-min PR as well. Dan W. had a PR and a very nice finish. Karen B., who I saw during the last half of the race and appeared to be running strong. And last, but not least, my good friend Bernard, who brought his A game today with an incredible 16-MINUTE PR.
I followed that up with a bloody mary and a big omelette at Cafe Hollander. Now I think I'm ready for a long nap, or maybe a coma even. It was big day, and I will enjoy it, but Monday I start training for a serious run at a Boston qualifying time in June. Exciting!
Splits: 6:31 - 6:30 - 6:42 - 6:30 - 6:27 - 6:18 - 6:26 - 6:40 - 6:23 - 6:32 - 6:21 - 6:31 - 6:11 - 0.1 @ 5:36
WOW!! Great PR Matt!! 8 minutes is HUGE...especially since your already fast as all hell :)
11 months ago • Like
You were KILLING it out there today! I was blown away by how far ahead of the crowd you were when I saw you!! Congrats on the PR!!
11 months ago
Congrats on the PR! Awesome splits! Great job!
11 months ago • Like
Wow!!!
11 months ago • Like
Congrats on your new PR and success today, Matt.
11 months ago
CORRAL A!!!!
11 months ago • Like • 1 person
8 minutes. Seriously? That was one helluva performance today! Congrats! I think I spotted you with family members as I was finishing up behind you.
11 months ago
Awesome Matt!! Congratulations!
11 months ago • Like
WOW, congrats Matt!!!
11 months ago • Like
Wow that's a great Half Marathon pace! congratulations on the PR.
11 months ago • Like
Great job out there! Sounds like you're still riding that runner's high - enjoy it!
11 months ago
That's incredible Matt! Great race, an awesome PR!
11 months ago
Congrats!! Awesome job on the PR!
11 months ago • Like
PRs rule! Congrats!
11 months ago • Like
AWESOME!! Great job out there today - CONGRATS on the PR!
11 months ago • Like
you KILLED it! Awesome job!
11 months ago
So awesome! Great job Matt!
11 months ago
HOLY SH!T!!! That's awesome. Way to kick its butt. Congrats!
11 months ago • Like
Great job, hope mine goes that good next weekend, Now I dont feel so bad getting out kicked by you this summer!
11 months ago • Like
Amazing! I love your race reports, and I love that your family was out there today to cheer you on, along with lots of dailymile buddies. Congratulations!
11 months ago • Like
Great race report and unbelievable PR! Congratulations!
11 months ago • Like
Congratulations!! I probably saw you finish - sorry, I don't know you in real life, otherwise I would have given you a high five.
11 months ago • Like
Congratulations. That is really an awesome run.
11 months ago
Beautifully run. I really admire those splits - consistent with a strong close.
11 months ago
THANKS EVERYONE!! Wow, I just woke up from a 3 hour nap to a ton of great comments. I really appreciate the support. Thanks so much for reading my race report and making my training fun for the last couple years!
11 months ago • Like
@Chanthana -- OMG I wasn't even thinking of Corral A when I set my goals for this race! SWEET!! Guess what I'm doing first thing Monday morning...haha.
11 months ago • Like • 1 person
LOL!!! I'm so excited for you!!! :-D
11 months ago • Like
Dude Thats like Super fast! Nice
11 months ago • Like
Congrats & great job. Thanks for the encouragement!
11 months ago • Like
Woah Great pace!! nice job Matt !!
11 months ago • Like
That truly was a "looked at my watch and smiled big" Awesome job, Matt!!
11 months ago • Like
awesome job, congrats!!
11 months ago
Congrats on the incredible PR, Matt. That is tremendous.
11 months ago
Good job man!
11 months ago • Like
Great run and outstanding training all winter which brought you to the insane time.
11 months ago • Like
Congratulations! That is great you had such a great run!
11 months ago • Like
Amazing, great performance.
11 months ago • Like
So great to see you out there yesterday! Congrats on an AMAZING PR! You earned it!
11 months ago • Like
Wow! Awesome half, congrats on the PR!
11 months ago • Like
I still can't get over the 8 MINUTE PR! You ran over 36 seconds PER MILE faster than your previous best?! Absolutely incredible Matt... Congratulations!
11 months ago • Like
Thanks Marty. Believe me, I'm still a little shocked looking at my splits. Considering how difficult it was at times to keep that pace for only a few miles in training, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to hold on that long and definitely didn't think I'd have anything left for a fast final mile. All I can say is the taper is a wonderful thing. :-)
11 months ago • Like
Care if I add another "Wow!" to the list?! Congratulations!
11 months ago • Like