Gopher to Badger Half Marathon - 1:43:53

Today was the Gopher to Badger Half Marathon.  This was my second half and I was ready for a good race.  I'm a big fan of Hammer Nutrition products and have been using a few, before the race I took 2 Anti-Fatigue Caps, 2 Endurance Amino, and 2 Endurolytes.  I don't eat solid food before a run.  The plan was a gel at miles 2, 6, and 9, with 2 Endurolytes at mile 6 if it was humid. 

Two guys from the St. Croix Valley Runners were doing the race too, and Tom offered to drive us.  They were both 1:40-ish runners so I was hopping to hang on to the pace they set.  Once at the start I ran into Julie from Julie's Running Blog.  She was taking it easy (and a good idea since the weather turned out to be a challenge).  I lined up with the 1:45 pacer but after the first turn never saw them again. 

The race started with rolling hills and I was able to build up a lead on the 1:40 pacer as my downhills made up for any slowness in the uphill sections.  I was actually feeling good until the mile 6 aid station.  I took a gel and Endurolytes.  Out of the aid station the 1:40 pacer passed me and I couldn't stay with them.  This was a long, hot, lonely, and slightly uphill section (or maybe it just seemed that way).  I settled into an 8 min pace but was slowing.  Then Tom caught me at about 8 miles. 

What a relief to have someone to run with.  I pushed to stay with him and it changed my mental state from "just make it" to "this is like our Saturday morning runs".  My spirits lifted and I didn't struggle as much to keep up.  Tom knows I'm a bit faster on the downhill so he let me go first as we entered the sidewalk under highway 94.  I pushed hard and waited for him to catch me.  He didn't catch up till we crossed the finish line and we got the exact same time!

1:43:53 (7:56 per mile pace)
About 10 min faster than my Stillwater Half Marathon
91 out of 736

Other notes:
-  Shoes soaked from puring water on my back
-  Blister on little toe
-  15 min ice bath felt great, but still sore
-  Did NOT wear visor, need to practice wearing it on runs
-  Two weeks till next half, Rochester Half Marathon on August 28