I hope this is the last virtual race I will need to run. I’ve been running the virtual Grand Prix races and the Historic Half to continue my race finish streaks. This was my 14th Historic Half finish.
Starting May 13, Virginia will allow 1320 runners per mile of race distance. This assumes a 20 foot wide course and starting waves of 250. So, a half-marathon can have 15,000 participants. A 5km that is not out and back can have 4000 participants.
Earlier this week, CDC came out with their “masks are not required outdoors” guidance.
Hopefully, all future races will be in-person with a virtual option for those who don’t prefer a crowd.
Yesterday, I used the Blue Gray course from Old Mill Park. I measured this course a few years back for USATF certification. So, I know it is a valid half-marathon.
I usually run from my house. Because of the start at Old Mill Park, I needed to drive there and parked on Caroline Street. I used my single bottle belt and needed to get a fresh bottle after the first Heritage Trail loop, just after mile 4.
There was an accident on I-95. So, Jeff Davis was backed up and all the roads leading to Jeff Davis were at a standstill. Driving across the Falmouth Bridge, I attempted to turn left on Princess Anne Street. Because there was no traffic turning left from Princess Anne onto Jeff Davis, the light never changed to allow us to make our left turns. Fortunately, a couple of kind drivers let us through. I don’t know how people commute every morning and night.
Once I got started, around 7:30am, my right Achilles was stiff for most of the run.
My intention was to take it easy. A 2:30 finish time would be OK. I did a 18 minute run and 2 minute walk pattern. I drank during the walk portion. With the sudden jump in temperatures, I was not sure how I was going to react. Fortunately, the cloudy skies helped and the dew point was only in the low 60s. What would MCHH be without a high dew point?
I got through the first 5 miles in a 10:30 pace and it took me 12:03 for mile 6 and the climb up Fall Hill. The final seven miles were a little faster and coming down Fall Hill helped. I was able to finish in 2:16:53.
Post run, I headed over to Lucky Foot to see if they carried UCAN. I found out they don’t open until 11am. Chris pulled into the parking lot as I was about to leave. I asked about LR carrying UCAN. Sorry, they don’t.
So, I went onto VA Runner. Their sign said “open at 10am”. But, at 10:20am, no one was minding the store. I peered in their window and saw they didn’t have any containers of UCAN.
So, I headed to Paul’s. Since the frosting contains milk, I’m not supposed to eat Paul’s Chocolate Covered donuts. Every once in a while, I can sneak one without having ill effects. I just need to watch what I eat for the next couple of days. I do enjoy Paul’s in-person donuts.