Ran my first real ‘race’ this weekend and I am officially hooked.  Never would have thought it, but the atmosphere of a big race (15,000 registrants) and huge spectator crowds all over the course was a huge plus.  Before running this half, I was pretty sure that I would not have much interest in taking the big next step to the full.  I completely changed my mind on Sunday.  I am putting next year’s Austin Marathon on my calendar.

The race was pretty tough, although I beat my goal of 1:50:00 with a 1:48:56 which translate into a 8:18/mile pace.  I started out too fast, which I think is a pretty common rookie mistake.  My splits were 8:27, 8:18, 7:59, 7:59, 7:49, 7:56, 8:04, 8:20, 8:34, 8:42, 8:25, 8:33, 8:51.  As you can tell I really slowed down when I hit the hills at the end of the course.  My colleague and ‘coach’ Juan was running with me from miles 4-13 and he was a HUGE help.  I would have finished much slower at the end without his encouragement and humor.

Andrea and the kids were on the course and at the finish which was also a big boost for me.  She had to lug all four kids around in the car all morning and then navigate everyone around downtown and the crowds.  She was awesome.  Very supportive of me running the race and was a trooper on all the weekend mornings that I was away running.

So, training for the full marathon begins.  I am looking forward to it.