The Maryland Half Marathon is a mixed bag - it's nice to have a big race event like this so near - yet at the same time it doesn't have the same "local" flavor of our homegrown events that are so well organized they actually match the bit time organizers. This isn't a know at the Maryland Half at all - it just shows what a great job our area race organization have been doing. Like every race though the volunteers that put so much time and effort into the event and the runners needs did an excellent job and gave a 100% of their enthusiasm. Thanks guys!
The event billed itself as a flatter and faster course then previous years. I found it much the same in those terms and a little less scenic then when I ran it two years before. With all else being equal I'll take a little hillier and slower course with better scenery. Of course not being in contention for any top honors maybe flatter and faster are the way to go. Regardless it still is a pretty course for the most part and it's always nice to run parts of Howard County that still have that rural feel.
I ran the first eight with a friend who was shooting for around a 2 hour finish and then kicked it up a bit to see how quick I could bring it in from there - I was surprised at how good my legs felt two weeks out from my 63 miles at the C&O 100 - still recovering yet nice to know there was some strength in there. I think it was a smart move not to really race it. As of now I have no idea of my finishing time. The course ran long (13:39 by my GPS) and I wasn't shooting for a number so paid little attention to time at that point. I heard many complaints about the extra little distance at the end and see their point - if you kick it in for the final mile or half mile and expect a 13.10 finish than any little bit over might not be fun. Especially if you're going for a PR. I tend to give the Race Director the benefit of the doubt though and run what they give me. What do you guys think?
Next year it will be back to Frederick Half Marathon for me I think - they're held right around the same time (last year on the same day) and I enjoyed that race just enough more to make the drive worthwhile for me. Over all - it was a good day to be running!
Thanks again to the RD, organizers and volunteers for you're hard work and effort!
Peace,
Eric
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