The Bold in the Cold Half Marathon 2012

On my first race of the new year, I chose the 15th edition -- Bold in the Cold Half Marathon on Saturday, January 7.  This was a LGRAW race held at their club location at Oak Grove Park, Grapevine TX.  This was the first year they added the half to the 15k and 5k races.  To prepare for this race, I trained by myself at a park near my home until this past week when I started my first week back of early speed training with my Run On! coach Daniel Hagelberg.   At the start of the race, the temperature was in the low 40s with very little wind.  I picked up my tech t-shirt and old time chip timer and made my way to the starting line.  The Half and the 15k started at the same and ran the first 9.3 mile together. After a fast start, I was running with six 30 something ladies that were running the 15k.  We seemed to be running the same pace, but I still had another four miles to go.  The race started on the street, transitioned to a trail with very challenging hills...and that was just the first half of the race.  We had to double  back and do it again on our way to the finish line.   The Volunteers did a great job directing us and keeping us hydrated  by passing out water and Gatorade. Just past the half way mark, Dallas Morning News blogger and avid runner, 65 year old Spareribs Lamothe, just passed me up.  I've never finished ahead of him in all the times that we've raced together.  I knew that he was a strong runner, so I was just trying to keep him in my sights to push myself to get the best time.  I was running an 8:30 pace at the turnoff of the 15k.  I wished the ladies good luck as we split off in different directions.  My 15k time was 1:21:17.  At the 10 mile mark, my pace slowed as I started to get fatigued.  With one mile to go a Run On! lady-coach and partner passed me up.  This inspired me to finish up strong.   I finished my fourth Half Marathon (in 3 1/2 months) with a new PR time (personal record) of 1:55   :48.9.  I placed 5th out of 13 in the 60-64 age group, 99 out of 180 men, and 122 out 328 overall Half finishers.  I ended up with an 8:50 overall pace.  I finished 12 seconds  behind Spareribs.  Thanks to Spareribs and the beautiful ladies for pushing me towards the finish line.            Place     Bib#    Men    Overall   Chip Time    Pace 5/13      1994   99/180  122/328   1:55:48.9    8:50 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com