Ocean's Run Half Marathon, Matunuck, RI, 3-10 - 13.1 Miles (Road)

Sunday, 3-10 - 13.1 miles (Road) - Ocean's Run Half Marathon, Matunuck, RI.  I'm now 100% sure that increased mileage, combined with lots of trail running, is doing wonders for my road racing...here's my half marathon results since my first one 18 months ago:

2011 Surftown Half Marathon (My first) - 2:12:04
2012 Surftown Half Marathon (Second) - 1:56:10
2013 Ocean's Run Half Marathon (Third) - 1:49:12

Here's the Run:



So I arrived at the parking area and immediately got yelled at by a guy I surf with, who was directing traffic, for not being in the water, gave me the whole "You're missing it!!!" lecture...dammit, and the course route runs right past my favorite break.  Pulled in right next to Tommy FiveK, who oddly enough was running the 5K...Dude!  You totally woulda been top 10!!!  But congrats on coming in 2nd at the 5K, very cool!  Gathered my gear and did the short warmup run to the start area, with a pit stop at Matunuck Surf Shop to say hello to Bob Fox, surf buddy and shop owner, who was grumbling about the race shutting down traffic.  Sorry, Bob, suck it up...Ran into the WTAC crew right before the start, along with my friend Don W. and a few other familiar faces, and got ready to go.

At the gun, we did a short loop around the parking lot and then hit the streets of Matunuck, which I know well, having surfed there for almost 20 years.  I almost tripped and fell when we passed my favorite break and I saw perfect, offshore, head-high plus waves reeling down the line...wow, I knew it was good, but...WOW.

This is a course made for PR's, and it didn't disappoint.  The goal in my head as we clicked off the miles was to come in sub- 1:50, totally doable.  The great thing about this course isn't the flatness, it's the multiple times the leaders cross paths with the rest of the pack, which gave me several chances to cheer on my WTAC teammates.  Crazy good results by our crew, which included a 1st place by Mike G., 3rd by Muddy, 7th by the Gazelle, and 10th by Rhody Seth???  PR's for everyone (again), I believe, in the world according to Strava!  The crew were out on their cool-down run as I was getting to the finish, and Jeff even attempted to snap off a picture of my flailing body falling toward the end of the race...

Very happy with my result!  Shaved 7 minutes off my PR.  Finished the last 4+ miles with Diane, who used to work with Mike years ago, small world!  Met Beth after the race, a friend of Don's whose blog I just started following, she's awesome!  Had some snacks after and watched the awards after, then caught the shuttle back to the lot.  Great day, and a great race by TRIMOM.  Volunteers were everywhere, including water stops at every mile! Love races like this that are well thought out.

Great run, awesome heated pizza tent after, and a nifty finisher's medal to boot:

Sweet...almost enough medals now to make a wind chime!

So now we get back after it this week, and decide whether to keep to the trails, or mix it up.  The trails have been great this week, and I've discovered some really cool places that don't get the traffic they deserve...sooo, more bloody, muddy fun in the woods (time permitting)?  Big River Trail 1/2 in three weeks...and maybe a St. Paddy's Day 5K next weekend...