I used to be excited to run the Napa Valley Half Marathon. As somebody who used to stay in Napa, I like an excuse to return, and the race is all the time well-organized. We stayed about half a mile from our previous home, and it was a enjoyable little street journey. Sadly, the subsequent day, I received sick with the abdomen flu. Do I believe I used to be coming down with it throughout the race? No. It didn’t really feel prefer it performed a task.
Earlier than the Napa Valley Half Marathon
We drove up Friday evening, stayed in Fresno, and I ran a shakeout run there. Since my partner had the automotive that morning, I ended up operating to Woodward Park. Sadly, Apple Maps gave me unhealthy instructions that didn’t account for a fence that had been put up, and I ended up operating about 10 miles after I wished to run 7. Usually, that will simply be no matter…the day earlier than a half…not concept.. From there, I simply targeted on getting the fewest steps doable, which appeared to work.
We had a fast dinner at considered one of my favourite spots and have been in mattress early. Packet pickup was at an area lodge which was each good and chaotic since all runners needed to filter via that lodge. It was pretty uneventful, which is precisely what you need earlier than a race. I awoke round 4:30 and was on the bus at 5:10. It was fairly chilly that morning, and I introduced some previous garments to toss in my quest to eliminate issues. I stayed on the bus till round 6:15, went to the lavatory, and was able to run the Napa Valley Half Marathon. I ran about 1.5 miles to heat up.
The course for the Napa Valley Half Marathon is generally flat and quick. There are some rolling hills at first, however for Napa Valley, it’s flat. You’ll be able to see my Strava right here, and the course has about 200 ft of elevation achieve…most of it at first.
Napa Valley Half Marathon Race
The Napa Valley Half Marathon began proper at 7 a.m. I positioned myself proper behind the 1:30 pacers. I wasn’t actually certain if 1:30 was within the playing cards for the day, and I didn’t need to push it. I’m glad I didn’t as a result of throughout the first few miles, I averaged 6:45, and so they have been nonetheless about 15 seconds forward of me (6:52 is 1:30 tempo).
Two years in the past, after I ran the Napa Valley Half Marathon, the wind within the final three miles was an element for me, and this yr was the identical. The wind simply beat me up.
The primary few miles glided by with out a lot word. Not like the Mesa Half Marathon, the race didn’t really feel prefer it was inching alongside—I swear I used to be counting the seconds with that one. Earlier than I knew it, we have been 5K in, and I used to be averaging nearly 6:45–6:50 tempo. I noticed I form of wanted to pee, however I questioned if I’d be capable of maintain it or not.
Miles 4–5 of the Napa Valley Half Marathon had extra downhill, and I ran a 6:54 and 6:45. I used to be feeling considerably assured that possibly this could be my sub-1:30 day. I noticed a toilet simply earlier than mile 6 and rapidly stopped (I take into consideration 20 seconds in complete). It was my slowest mile at 7:13.
From there, I knew one of many bigger hills was coming, and even then, I ran 6:54, adopted by a 6:44 again down. I might inform I really felt quite a bit higher than I assumed as a result of I used to be capable of keep below 7 minute tempo up the hills.
Miles 7–9 of the Napa Valley Half Marathon all the time really feel like they take the longest. It’s a straight line, and you’ll see for what looks like miles forward. I simply saved staying engaged. After we made a proper and adjusted instructions, I knew the headwind was going to be brutal. I saved telling myself, “Simply keep in it,” however whew, it was exhausting. The wind wasn’t horrible (possibly round 10 miles per hour), but it surely felt brutal.
I ran a 7:11 and seven:08. Within the final mile of the Napa Valley Half Marathon, I simply targeted on the end. “Simply maintain going,” I informed myself. I used to be stunned I ran a 7:05 as a result of it felt like I used to be crawling. I completed in 1:31:29.
Napa Valley Half Marathon Ideas
I’m happy with this. Do I believe the abdomen flu affected me? Actually, I don’t know. I’ll have picked it up there, however I didn’t really feel too unhealthy. I’m completely satisfied to run nearly two minutes sooner than two years in the past, and again then, I used to be amazed that I ran that quick. I do know I’m in sub-90 form on a superb day…I simply haven’t had a superb race day but.
In all, the Napa Valley Half Marathon is a lot enjoyable, and I positively advocate it to anybody in search of an amazing race getaway.
You’ll be able to see Strava right here and all race recaps right here.
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Questions for you:
What’s your favourite half marathon?
Have you ever run the Napa Half Marathon?
