CHaD Half-Marathon, 2.5 minute PR, 1st master

Finish

CHaD (Children's Hospital at Dartmouth)  fit nicely into my marathon training program last year... timing, location, great cause... so I returned this year too.  Hot weather made it more of challenge...opted for bra, no singlet and light ASICS tempo shoes.   Nabbed the best parking spot and did a 20 minute warm-up and at the end of one street saw a red sign that said "The Mountain Goat!!" which made me say out loud "no way?!?!" ... (it was cool looking store) ...the 1,500 people in superhero costumes brought some cute glances too...  especially liked the ones wearing their underpants over their clothes.

Having run a 5 minute PR here in 2009, I really didn't feel I could chip away at my previous time, particularly with the tough weather, so I just ran as hard as I could.  At an early water stop, a girl from high school x-c team said I was 8th female, which gave me a boost to put on a "chase"... got one!  Revisited the fact I can't drink at water stops... but the fuel belt would have been hot and cumbersome, so it was better to tough it out.   It was a lot of miles before I found another female to catch, but I got her too and worked to hang tough.

It was not until the final .1 that I comprehended a PR run, then as I approached the mat, the announcer said "Sarah Prescott from Concord... finishing 2.5 minutes faster than last year!!!" which totally floored me, to say the least.   Water, recovery drink and a few quick excited phone calls... my calves and hamstring were cramping, but I stretched lightly and did a 20 minute warm-down... had to see "The Mountain Goat" sign again   :-)  

The stage, jumbotron and Olympic skiing gold medalist Hannah Kearney made the award ceremony extra spectacular... for 1st female master I won a $110 gift certificate for Merrell and a cool Merrell winter beanie.   You really can't top the rewarding feeling of something like that coming together so beautifully.   My Dad was hugely excited, so we went out for Ahi tuna to celebrate... that is, after my ice bath.  Thanks PRof Fernando, Goons, GTD & training buddies!

1:33:11, 7:07 pace, 1/50
33rd of 521 total; 1st Master female

Full results

photos courtesy Dan Grossman, my costume is "Super Goon"