So the Covered Bridges half marathon was an absolute blast.  I’m finding that I look forward to meeting some of the people who I see frequently running these various races as much as I look forward to running.  Well, not quite that much, but a lot more so then I thought – and this is a pleasant revelation.  It is nice to spend some time catching up with a familiar face.

I really can’t get into race details without first mentioning (again) that this race was for a charity.  For more on the charity check out www.teamalzheimers.com.  You simply can’t imagine the challenges and heart break some of the fellow team Alzheimers runners have faced watching a loved one slowly slip away.  I think I have mentioned before that I am less concerned with no longer being able to run then I am with no longer being able to remember any of the truly transcendent memories running has blessed me with over the past two-years.  For some reason I feel as though I should state to the cynical crowd that I am truly and overwhelmingly humbled to have been a part of this team.

The race was great.  Beautiful course, good crowd support, and just enough hills to make it challenging without being a killer.  I ran it in 1 hour 18 minutes and 34 seconds.  This was the first time I broke 1:20 on a half marathon, and right on the pace I set out for.  As I got closer I realized I could break the 6 minute mile barrier and finished strong, but get this: my pace was exactly 6 minutes per mile.  All I had to do to break the 6 minute mile barrier was knock ~3 to 4 seconds off my time.  Christina laughed when I looked at the results and said that I should have sprinted out the last 15 feet instead of raising my arms.  Oh well, there is always the CHAD Half in September.

I will not go into the painful mile by mile recap like Boston, but there were a few neat things along the way.  Of course, most of the coolest parts involve covered bridges and my family.  The first leg of the race finishes up when you emerge from the Woodstock covered bridge to a roaring crowd on the green.  I knew Christina and the kids were planning on hanging out here and I was not going to miss them like Boston.  Just beyond the bridge I saw them with their signs jumping up and down.  I went over slapped high fives, cheered and continued on.  That was neat – it was almost like completing the missing part of Boston.

I enjoyed the part where the course loops back and you have runners going in both directions by Billings Farm.  It is such a lift to have fellow runners cheering for each other.  This is an absolute must keep portion of this race.  The run from mile 5 to 8 along the river is the most peaceful and serene experience you could have in a race.  By this time I was running all alone.  The Cheetah’s of the group were about 3 minutes ahead, and the person behind me was a full minute to minute and 30 back.  It is no hyperbole to say you are running with the trees, river, and family of ducks floating by.  If that experience doesn’t get you then I suggest another read of Walden by Thoreau.

What a cool surprise to see Christina and the Kids by the Taftsville bridge.  Just the boost I needed to make my way up the steepest and hardest hill of the run.  The transcendent memories I talk about with running – one thing always strikes me – how much my wife and kids cheering lifts my entire being.  It is like floating.  The hill is over and now it is downhill to the finish.  I don’t know why I am consistently surprised by how tired I get towards the end of a race, but I have found a mental tool that helps.  Once I hit that point I ask myself why I’m surprised.  I’ll then gauge how much distance is left (2 miles at this point) and just try to hang onto my pace until I can leave it all out there on the final mile.  It worked well this time.

The end of the race is really cool because you can see it for about a 0.4 miles.  This is so crucial when you know the race is about done and you are really just holding on.  To see the finish line is a 4th or 5th wind that carries you to the end.  Once across the finish line I see some of the runners I talked with at the beginning of the race who already finished or were just behind me.  More stories and celebration with them and the family, then back with signs for Team Alzheimer’s and some loud cheering – what a great early summer day!

So far as pictures – hopefully there will be some soon.  I don’t want to give my wife to hard of a time, but if her fantastic support is yin then her picture taking in yang.  I’ll take support over photos, but wow – need some work on those skills! 

Next up is a Father’s day run with Matt (brother-in-law and brand new Daddy), I can’t wait for that one – it’ll be the first time running with someone since the 5K with Vaughan!