This year's installment of the Fall Classic Half Marathon, which happens every year thanks to the Cleveland West Road Runners, almost didn't happen for me. Up until Friday I wasn't planning on running this race. I've run here the three previous years with results representing both ends of the spectrum, but due to the busy Christmas shopping season demanding that Mrs. P. work today, I thought it would be easier to just pass this year. But upon finding out that Jr. P. wanted to go into work with his mom, I reconsidered my intentions. Especially considering that the weather this year was actually going to be nice!
While watching a little Weather Channel this morning while I was waiting to leave for the race, I was confused to see that they were reporting Medina to be experiencing 96% humidity. "That's odd," I thought to myself. Upon opening the garage door to leave I immediately understood the reason why: There was a thick blanket of fog obscuring everything.
My first thought after processing this: There's no wind.
My second thought: I'm in for an interesting drive up to Strongsville!
The view from my car shortly after arriving at the park. The fog wasn't as thick up here as it was back home.
Here's a view most people don't get to see on race morning: The parking spaces closest to all the activity, EMPTY! You need to arrive pretty early to see that.
My race number bib's reflection. I didn't realize at the time how much the trash can really stands out!
The sun trying to burn through all the fog.
MCRR group photo. Roseann, Nancy, Dan H. Debbie, and myself. Not pictured was Patrick.
The fog burnt off rather quickly, leaving us a sunny and only slightly chilly race start.
My funny story for this race: After a mile and a half warm-up run with Dan and Debbie, I still needed to drop off some layers at the car and finalize some things pre-race. The problem was that I was running out of time. I ran back to the car, discarded my jacket and my outer layer shirt, swapped my hat for an ear band, grabbed my sunglasses and gels, and took off for the starting line. Unfortunately, about half way to the start line I discovered I was missing something. My race number! It was still sitting on the dashboard. So I turned around and high-tailed it back to the car. I eventually made it to the starting line with a few minutes to spare, but I was back a little farther than was desirable.
The race. I won't get into individual mile splits for this one. My finish time was 1:33:15 by my watch. That's only about 45 seconds off my PR! Not bad. I wish I felt "not bad" for the entire run and not just the first three miles or so. For the rest of the race I felt distinctly "not good". My energy faded quickly and I got really hungry. (That may be due to me running 9 miles on the trails yesterday) I was carrying only one gel with me and I took it with slightly less than half to go. The Gatorade on the course was watered down and didn't supply the carbs I needed. I'm thinking this calorie deficit I was in is what led to my eye spots. I will occasionally get funny spots in my vision. They usually affect my peripheral vision with only isolated spots in the center. I've read that it's related to migraines, but fortunately without the pain. I developed spots today while running, directly in my field of vision. They made it rather difficult to pay attention to what I was doing and I had to concentrate to keep running hard and not do anything stupid like step in a pothole or run into someone. They eventually went away, but I missed Jeannine and her children cheering my on as I ran by. I heard my name but I couldn't see who yelled it! Sorry Jeannine!
I was trying to chase down Dan H the entire race but I was unsuccessful. He maintained a pace I just couldn't overcome. And I threw out the idea of catching Rachel immediately. She was smoking fast again today, finishing 2nd overall for the women. Congrats Rachel!
Here's Jack heading into the finish line!
Debbie dueling with another woman as they approach the finish.
I think I really need to take some time to rest a bit. I've just been racing too much lately. I was supposed to be winding down this fall and instead I've really ramped up everything! The Flying Feather is awaiting us on Thanksgiving morning and I don't think I'm "racing" it this year. Mrs. P. can do that this time. I think I'll run the 4 mile course before the start and then run it again with Jr. P. Yeah, that sounds like a plan.
To finish off the race report, here are some photos from after the race, once the sun was out.
The falls behind the park.
A view upstream.
And for all the ladies who went out to see New Moon this weekend, does this car look familiar?
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