alexCpaul.com – creator of WhatPaint (now Available on the App Store)

Love racing the Brooklyn Half Marathon, but this time around there was a lack of speed. Having trained for the New Jersey Marathon leading into early May I have been focusing on more endurance work. This would hamper any PR performance on the day.

Early on in the start of the race my right knee was experiencing slight pain. The pain was not sharp or excruciating in any way but being that this was my injured knee I backed off for the first 3 miles until the pain subsided.

I love the newly enhanced Brooklyn Half marathon course as it takes you outside Prospect Park for the start.

The first half of my run, splits were pretty consistent in the mid 7:20s. After the first half I felt way better and was able to increase the pace to finish with an overall 7:21 pace. The weather was ideal for the day as the race started in the mid to low 50s.

Now that marathon/ half marathon is done for this part of the season I need to focus on speed training for my sprint triathlons coming up.

Official Finish Time: 1:36:12

My goal for the NJ Marathon was to break 3:20. Given the flat course and racing weather, conditions were perfect. Race strategy was to run the first half in 1:40 and negative split the second half. When I signed up for NJM I was still recovering from my knee surgery and seeded myself in a conservative 3:40 start corral. Starting back in corral B may have presented a bigger hurdle than I initially thought. Passing runners and settling into a rhythm took more effort than I wanted to at such an early point in the race. Not sure what it was but I got a side stitch early on at about mile 2 of the race. I have been able to run through those in training before and also was able to for the next 3 miles or so when it subsided.

Nutrition plan was perfect. I kept taking fluids in at every aid station and drinks from my fuel belt. I also took 3 meta salt tablets every hour during the race. I carried 4 gels but didn’t take any as I was using EFS shots instead with water. EFS products have such a high level of electrolytes in comparison to gels that this was a better option for me given my sweat rate.

Anh saw me off at the start and I was also able to see her at mile 2 before she took the shuttle to the finish.

I was seeded with the 3:40 pace group. During the race I was able to pass, 3:40, 3:30, 3:25 pacers and settle in a comfortable pace for the first half.

Pass mile 13.1 I began to feel really energized, especially after a quick pee break. I was able to take more nutrition and let loose. For some reason I felt that this new found boost of energy was a reason to push the pace. For the next 3 miles I was flying on the course. Picking off and passing runners like it was a 10K. This careless maneuver would haunt me later in the race.

About mile 21 my pace had to be curbed due to chest pains. I have discussed those pains with my cardiologist before. After stress tests and wearing a holter monitor at home, he concluded that those are a result of muscle fatigue. Regardless I would not take any chances given the stories and statistics in endurance sports. I slowed by pace down to about a 8ish minute / mile., kept taking in fluids and monitoring my body for the next 5 miles to the finish.

Given the nature of the course being flat and beautiful racing weather, cramps were not an issue for me.

At mile 25 I dug as much as I could to stay sub 3:25 on the day. Just kept my head down and leaned forward to save as much as I could for the finish.

Anh was waiting for me at the finish with the most welcoming smile I could wish for.

All in all a great day of racing in New Jersey.

Course Elevation

2012 NJM Medal

Race Results

Official Race Results