Melvin J. Fisher Hills and Hollows Half Marathon, Valmeyer, 09-26-09

This was my first half marathon and also the farthest I have ever run so I wasn’t sure what to expect. My goal was to finish under two hours and thought I might be able to do it around one hour 45 minutes. I didn’t know the course and since it was called “hills and hollows” I was a bit worried. The first seven miles wasn’t too hilly. It was pretty much standard for this area, but with a couple long downhills which was good. The next four miles was pretty much flat because we ran along the Mississippi bottoms. The last two miles or so was uphill. They were not too steep but very long uphills. It was not too bad.

When the race started we were all kind of packed together. I wasn’t worried about starting in front because I knew it was going to be a very long race. It took about half a mile to get the group apart. My plan was to run 7 ½ minute miles the first few miles and then slow to 8 or 9 minute miles. I ran with Brad Warhausen and another guy. I think Brad said he wanted to run 8 or 8 ½ minute miles so I figured I would run with him awhile. About mile four Brad pulled away and another runner caught up to me, later I found out his name was Steve. I was feeling pretty good so I just kept up with my regular pace and ran with Steve while keeping Brad in sight. About mile 5 and 6 there were a couple steeper downhills and I made better time, 7:11 and 7:05 minute miles. Also, I passed Brad at mile 6 but then he passed me back. The whole time I was feeling pretty good. I had a Gu gel pack before the race and took another about mile 5. I think this helped. We got to the river bottom and Steve pulled away a little bit. I caught back up and passed him about mile 10. I also took another Gu gel pack. Steve caught back up to me and we ran together for awhile. At one time I asked when the hills were going to start. Steve then advised me we had been running up one for a little while. I hadn’t realized it. It was a long incline and with me being tired I just didn’t realize it. Later there were a couple hills that I definitely could tell were there. About a mile to go I was able to pass one runner and then another with a half mile to go. This gave me a couple moral victories and extra energy. With 50 or so yards to go I passed Steve and was almost able to catch up to Brad. My final time was 1:37:53. I could not believe it. The whole race I felt good. I’m not sure what I did differently for this race but it worked. Starting off I went about 7:30 minute miles and just kept that pace, more or less. The few big downhills really helped. My overall pace average was 7:24. I also think taking three gel packs helped and it seems I timed them well. This race had the regular 5 year age groups, but it also had different divisions too. They had divisions for years 39 and below, Master 40 to 49, and Grand Masters 50 and over. I’m not sure why the Masters was only ten years but that is ok because I was able to get second in it. I was also 12th overall. I am very happy with my race.

The race was very well organized and all the people were very nice. What really surprised me was that they had water at all the mile markers except two or three. This really helped. They even had bananas and grapes at some mile markers, I passed on them. Everyone also received a finishing medal, which was great. They were also pretty quick with the awards too. They didn’t wait for everyone to be done. It seemed like when they had a bunch of groups done they would present the plaques. I know because I was icing my legs when I heard my name called. Also, Marvin Fisher, the late Melvin Fisher’s twin brother, was nice enough to have his picture taken with me and my friend Rachel. He seemed happy to do it and talked to us for a little while even though he was busy and had other things to do. In the picture are me, Marvin, and Rachel. Rachel by the way ran very well and got second in her age group.

Overall this was a great race. It makes me want to run longer races, even marathons. I have always been a 5k kind of runner, but this makes me want to do more. We had almost perfect weather, which helped, and the course was pretty nice. It seemed everything clicked for me and I was able to maintain a positive attitude the whole race. I could probably never run another long race again and be happy, but now I want to do more. I hope to make it back to Valmeyer next year.

.

Here's an update for the race. I just checked the posted race results and my time was actually 1:38:01. I'm still very happy with that. Also the guy I called Steve, his name is actually Scott, sorry. Also, the division was not 39 and below, it was an open division. If you look I was first in 40-44. Good day.