Brooklyn RnR Half Marathon (Repeat)

 The race started at 7:00 in the morning (looked like rain, but never did) and we started and ended the race on Prospect Park.  This was a large race with 8,000 runners doing the half marathon.   To my surprise this was a personal record for me (by a couple seconds).  

Race:  Brooklyn Rock and Roll Half Marathon
Location:  Brooklyn, NY
Date: 10/14/2017
Bib: 4315
Time: 1:52:51 (personal record) Pace 8:20 per mile
Division: M50-54 / 37th place (Over All 1473 out of 8515)
Course:  3 Long Hills (There and Back)
Weight:  199.5 lbs.
Training:
- 9 Miles on 10/7 @ 9:22 per mile
- 10 Miles on 9/30 @ 9:23 per mile
- 8 Miles on 9/23 @ 8:56 per mile

Vermont (State #17)

The race started at 8:00 in the morning (nice and cool) and we started and ended the race on Sherburne Beach on Lake Champlain (really beautiful).  Small race with only 170 runners doing the half marathon.  

Race: Charlotte Change Bridge Half Marathon
Location:  Shelburne VT
Bib:  676
Division: M50-54 / 4th place (Over All 41st out of 170)
Course:  Rolling Hills (There and Back)

Training: August 26th - 10 miles @ 9:20 pace per mile
Weight:  210 lbs.

State #16 Ohio

This weekend I ran in the Good Year Half-Marathon in Akron, Ohio.   I stayed at the Hilton which is fairly close to the start/finish which was convenient. The race started at 6:30 in the morning which was great because it was cool for at least half of the race.
 
1 Hour, and 58 Minutes.

State #15 Indiania

1 hour, 56 minutes, 48 seconds (08:54 min/mi)

Loved this race - it was well organized and there were so many people, bands, dancers and organizations, out cheering you on it was awesome.  Also they had us running around the Indy racetrack which was beyond cool.   The weather was cold and wet - but cleared up beautifully by the end of the race.  I had to toss my sweat shirt at the last mile - because it was getting too hot for me.  

One thing which made this event so wonderful - that 5 years ago I ran on the Poconos Raceway setting a PR of 2 hours.  This year while I did not set a PR, I was able to finish with a sub-2 hour time - which shows you that you don't have to get slower when you get older.  :)

Race: OneAmerica 5000 Festival Mini Marathon
Location:  Indianapolis, IN
Bib:  21585
Division: M50-54 / 245th place (out of 903)
Course:  Flat (Loop)

Training: April 29th - 10 miles @ 8:43 pace per mile
Weight:  204 lbs. on 5/03/17

State #14 Virginia

1 hr, 55 mins (08:52 min/mi)

Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon in Virginia on April 8th

Course:
Flat (Out and back)


Training:
March 11th - 6 miles @ 9:06 pace per mile
March 18th - 8 miles @ 8:58 pace per mile
March 25th - 9 miles @ 8:54 pace per mile
April 8th - 10 miles @ 8:39 pace per mile


Weight:  211 lbs. on 4/01/17,  208 lbs. on 4/6/17

State # 13 - South Carolinia

Travelled to South Carolina and ran in this race:  
Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach, S. Carolina on March 4th

Finished in 1 hour and 54 minutes!

Preparations for Race
====================================
2/11 - Ran 9 miles     (9:10 minute mile)
2/20 - Ran 11.5 miles (9:20 minute mile)

2/25 - Ran 5 miles (9:20 minute mile) - tapering
2/27-3/1 - Ran 3-4 miles each day 1 day of hills, 1 day of sprints

My Weight:  208 lbs as of 3/1

State #12 - Tennessee

Time:  2:11:32
Pace: 10:02 per mile

Started with a temp of 21 degrees, and clear skies.
Difficult. Very hilly.
Weight:  215 lbs
Training:  OK condition. Was up to 12 miles the week before the race.
About The Trip:   My wife and I used the race as a way to visit some relatives.  My wife has a cousin which lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband.  We had a great time touring the area (a lot of parks, with breathtaking views), and having dinner in downtown Knoxville.   Very memorable, by wife fell in love with Tennessee.  

State #11 - West Virginia

Today I completed my first half marathon in 2017 in West Virginia. When the race started it was 6˚F and the trail had three inches of snow. I had three layers at the beginning, and had to return to my car for a fourth layer.  Brrrrr it was cold!  One of the more challenging races - I've ever done. The trail was limestone and was quite flat.   I loved the chili they served at the end!

Weight:  211 lbs

Training Preparation:  Poor

Plans for 2017 Half Marathons

Happy New Year!  A new year and a new slate of half marathons for 2017.  Very excited!  These are the races that I have signed up for:

January - Run to Read Half-Marathon in West Virginia on January 7th  (a new state)

February - Strawberry Plains Half Marathon in Knoxville, Tennessee on February 4th  (a new state)

March - Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach, S. Carolina on March 4th  (a new state)

April - Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon in Virginia on April 8th (a new state)

April - Asbury Park Half Marathon in Asbury Park, New Jersey on April 22nd.

May Indy 500 on May 6th (New State)

Aug.  Good Year Half Marathon, Akron Ohio (New State)

Sept - Charlotte Covered Bridge 5K/10K & Half Marathon on Sept. 9th, Vermont (New State)

October - RnR Brooklyn Half Marathon in Brooklyn, NYC on October 14th

This is a NY Half - which I could enter after my birthday:  http://www.pelhamhalf.com/

This is on my Birthday -  Gobble Wobble Half Marathon in Cumming, GA

This is where I stand at the start of this year.   10 States completed. (Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, and Michigan)


Newly added in 2017:   West Virginia (#11), Tennessee (#12), South Carolina (#13), Virginia (#14), Indiana (#15)