2007 Columbus Half Marathon Report - October 22, 2007

Today brings the report on the 2007 Columbus Half Marathon. I can’t believe that it is finally come to pass. When I look back, I have been training for this since the middle of May. Having followed the training program, I knew that I was ready to do the race.

Saturday was the prep day. I had made a checklist of what I needed to do and have ready. After dinner, I went thru the list. Everything was ready by evening and I went to bed at 10:30PM. I was amazed that I slept as well as I did. The only glitch in my plans was that I set my alarm for 5 AM but forgot to turn on the alarm! Thankfully, Janet woke me up at 5:05AM. I got dressed and gathered my stuff and headed downtown.

I met with the Team in Training group at the Hyatt Hotel downtown at 6AM. We headed off to the starting line at around 6:40. It was still rather dark and the wind was whipping through the buildings. The temperature at the start was around 55 degrees. I met a gentleman named Kevin who was with TNT. Through talking before the race, we found that we both were in the same boat. Due to our work schedules and family responsibilities neither of us was able to train with the team.

The horn went off at 7 AM to start the almost 1000 walkers on our 13.1 mile journey. Kevin and I had the same pace so we walked together with several other TNT walkers. The sun was just starting to come up as we headed east on Broad St. My first three mile times were right where I trained – 17:26, 16:40 and 16:47.

Just past the 3 mile mark, we turned north into Bexley and wound our way through the side streets. At one point, we passed the Governor’s Mansion and the Governor’s wife was out front flanked by State Troopers waving at the racers. I hit the 4 mile mark at 16:51. We turned south to head towards Town St. We passed several bands providing entertainment along the route. My mile times for miles 5-9 were 16:13, 16:37, 16:21, 16:08 and 16:11.

It was about this time that I began to notice blisters beginning to form on the inside edges of my heels. Continued to press on into German Village. Mile 10 time was 16:14. Passed Schiller Park and was struck by how beautiful it was. Kevin (who has been walking beside me the entire way) stated that he did quite a bit of training in the park.

At mile 11, we turned north on High St and began the final stretch of the race. My time at mile 11 was 16:34. Heading up High St towards downtown, we hit what seemed like the biggest hill in the race. It probably was just the tired legs!! Mile 12 time was 16:30 and the crowds began to grow larger. We turned off of High St and onto Nationwide Blvd. at mile 13 with a time of 16:24. The finish line was in sight. Just shy of the finish line, I saw Janet and the kids along with my brother Mike- he had just gotten in from vacation in Florida late Saturday night. Hit the finish line with a time of 3:37:23. The pace time was 16:36.

Picked up my medal and had my picture taken and then headed to the Team In Training tent to check in and wait for my family. I was completely surprised by running into my brother in law’s parents – Jim and Nancy Simms. It took some time for Janet and the kids to make it to the Family Reunion area. Once we met up and took some pictures, it was time to start the quarter mile hike to the car – uphill!!!

All in all, the day was perfect for racing and watching the race. Janet and the kids were able to get a good spot to watch the race and I was able to park close to the finish line.

I have been asked if I will do the Columbus again. I reply that I would but next time I would probably train on my own.

I asked people in my fundraising letter to let me know if I could walk in honor or in memorial for a friend or loved one. I want to list here the names that I put on my race shirt.

In Memorial:

Mary Spohn (My grandmother )

Sally Mann ( My aunt)

Arthur Rose Sr.

Andy Grether

Donald Parks

Fred Williams

Jack Williams

In Honor:

Alwyn Cosgrove

Rickie Samuel

Keegan Quinn

My race stats :

Time: 3:37:23

Pace: 16:36

Overall: 647/939

Age Group: 10/17

Gender: 107/147

I will be posting some pictures from the race later as well as providing a link to the official photos.