The Running Obstetrician

HARTFORD HALF MARATHON 2015

October 10, 2015, HARTFORD, CT.

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     The big day finally arrived. The Hartford Half Marathon is easily my biggest race of the year. I spend most of the summer training up for it, and it is the only half marathon that I think that I have in me all year. This year's race was really great all around, and for so many special reasons.

     I came into the race this year really not sure how my legs were going to hold out. If you are a faithful reader of the Running Obstetrician blog, you will recall that I was really down for the count with a serious left ankle tendonitis after last year's PR performance. While I finished the half marathon in just over 1:51, I was unable to run any more races for the rest of the season, and the road to recovery took me well into Spring. In fact, my left ankle is a new reminder of this wonderful sport that I love, even to this day.

     On top of that, my ten and twelve mile training runs brought back an old friend of mine - my bum right knee. I'm not exactly sure what this injury is, but it has to be some combination of cartilage, tendon and meniscus. Whatever it is, I knew going into this race that at some point I was going to have to fight through some right knee pain, and potentially risk losing the rest of the running season.

     All this said, my goals this year were simple: 1) try to run the whole race, 2) avoid serious injury and 3) beat 2:00. 

     You could not have asked for a more beautiful day. Per my usual routine, I arrived a few hours before the start. I walked around for a bit to watch the tents and vendors get set up, and then took to the streets for some jogging and stretching. The weather was perfectly chilly, and my shorts, long pink socks and windbreaker were the perfect combo for the day.

     Just before race start, I met up with a good friend of mine, who told me that she was hoping to run my pace. I had heard that one from her before, and I knew she would be leaving me in the dust at some point, but she is always great to start with. We caught up with our boss, and all around great guy from the hospital to catch a stellar pre-race photo in the shoot.

     A litte Pledge of Allegiance sung by a local police officer favorite before the race, and then we were off. Adam was off like a rocket and never to be seen again (that man is fast!), and I was able to stay chatty with Lisa until about mile 5. By mile 6 my right knee was a player in the game, and by mile 7 Lisa made the good decision to do her thing and made a dash for the finish line.

     The race course is actually pretty flat - out of Hartford, into beautiful West Hartford, and then back into Hartford again. The only hill is around Elizabeth Park, and it's not that it is very steep, it's just that it is at mile 9 and 10. They also have this short but steep hill by the UCONN Law School at mile 11, which is fairly evil. By this point both my left ankle and right knee were not very happy with me, but by the time that I hit Farmington Avenue and was heading back down-town to the cheers of Hartfordians everywhere, it didn't matter.

     I made it to the Soliders and Sailors Memorial Arch to the finish feeling like a champ, and pretty psyched to realized I accomplished all my goals: 1) no walking, 2) sore legs but nothing bad and 3) 1:58 plus, but under 2:00.

     The after-party was a rocking good time. This year's weather was MUCH better off, and we were able to hang out for a little while. I missed the food tent, but did score a loaf of bread (random!). I also got to see a bunch of friends and colleagues during the run and after. And while my time was slower than last year, with the better weather, good company and being able to compete for the rest of the season, this was a great Hartford Half Marathon this year.

CMM- The Running Obstetrician, October 2015