Running and cycling with Bill

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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Miami half marathon reflections


Hard to believe it was over a month ago that I, along with some 8000 others, started off in the dark on the Miami half, along with several thousand doing the full marathon. It was the biggest race I have been in, with some 20 years of running/racing. The whole event was great, from the website for registration to the fitness expo to the race itself.


It was a pretty good morning, with lower than expected temperature, but more humid than I expected. Great route, and even the opening mile or so of the run over the causeway to Miami Beach was not as bad as it looked from a distance. Going across the finish line in a bit over 1:56 was amazing, with so much cheering, and of course my wife waiting for me. Turned out I finished OK, coming in the top 15% of my age group, and incredibly, in the top third of all men.


Soon after, our Run 'n' Fun group of some two dozen runners and partners boarded the Carnival Valor, for a seven day eastern Caribbean cruise. Nice way to recover! A real highlight was having Frank Shorter, 1972 Olympic marathon gold medallist, along with us, for lots of coaching and general running lore. All in all, a fine time, and I am really glad I signed up for it.


Took a bit of time off in February, concentrating instead on upper body and core strengthening exercises, but am now back to solid running and training for the next race, the National Capital Race weekend in late May. Will do the half again, along with the usual anti-doping volunteer work and some water station work.


Hopefully I will be back on my bike to get in some great riding to and from work by the end of this month. Bikes are tuned up and ready to go, as soon as road conditions are a bit better. Life is good.