Number one reason I wanted to run was that I ran this race last year as well and it left a good impression in my memory despite the continuous rain. I described my experience about that previously. The second reason for running was that I needed to get to a racing mode after the long skiing season this past winter. Usually, I have at least 1 race behind me at this time.

The weather was much more favorable than last year. The temperature climbed to 47° F and it was windy. I could wear shorts and a short sleeve. I set my timer to 6:35 m/m pace as my slowest time I wanted to achieve. It was a pure guess work, based rather on my feeling than a training plan. My goal was not to kill myself while racing, but rather to extend the mileage to 18 miles after finishing the half marathon. I wanted to consider it as the Boston marathon long training run 3.

Having the last year race still in memory I could feel from the very beginning that I was stronger this year. I ran the first 3 miles in 6:20 pace without any problem in a small group of about 7 runners. Then, our group spread, faster runners separated from us. We remained 3 for a while then it was just me and another runner pulling each other for the next 6 miles. At the end of 9th mile we were caught by a faster runner. I wanted to pull ahead behind him and was successful for a little over 2 miles leaving my previous companion 50 yards and then 100 yards behind. At the end, I could not keep up the really fast pace of the runner and settled for 11th overall position and, as I learned later, the 3rd place in my age group finishing in 1:25. 8 minutes improvement from the last year. I was very happy and still had the energy to continue slowly additional 4 miles to cool down.