Hartford Half - Race Recap by Kim Driscoll
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 09:51AM 
Four weeks ago I did the unthinkable (well, for me, at least): I raced the ING Hartford Half Marathon. No, I didn’t just run it – I actually raced it! As a fairly competitive 5K runner and sprint distance triathlete, I have to say it was a major milestone for me to compete in a 13.1 mile road race. The truth be told, I had completed this distance just one other time – at this very same race one year ago. All I can say is it’s an exciting event and a worthwhile addition to your race calendar.
With over 5,100 participants this year, the Hartford Half actually dominated the field of runners for the combined full and half marathon by a ratio of 2:1. But what’s great is the two races share the same start time and location, splitting off in separate directions after the first mile. This affords participants all the energy and excitement of a huge race, yet once the course divides, provides plenty of room for runners to reposition and settle into a comfortable pace.
The half marathon course is reasonably flat and guides runners through an unusual mix of scenery, from the towering skyscrapers and historic buildings of downtown Hartford, to outlying brownstone neighborhoods, and eventually winding through shady, idyllic suburban streets and parks of West Hartford. The mid-October weather virtually guarantees comfortable running conditions, with temperatures this year in the 50s, though we faced some unexpected gusty winds. The race organizers had logistics completely buttoned up with plenty of volunteers, water / fuel stations at every mile, and a sideline of enthusiastic entertainers and spectators from race start to finish. The finisher medals were magnificent (hey, this is key!) and a broad base of race sponsors welcomed us to an impressive post-race party in Hartford’s historic Bushnell Park. All in all, not a bad a way to start off a brisk Saturday morning if you don’t mind a little wear and tear!
But now for the best part: Despite just one month of training, I managed to shave two minutes off my time last year to finish in 1 hour 40 minutes, placing 3rd in my age group!! It was an amazing experience for me and definitely one of my proudest moments as an athlete!
Okay, sounds crazy, I know. We’re not talking the Olympics here, or the New York City Marathon – why, what I ran was only half a marathon, and there were still 87 women who came in before me, not to mention Dom, who was already back in his street clothes with his dog by his side by the time I came of the course! And then there’s Max who sped through the full marathon in a little over 3 hours.
So what’s the big deal about my race? Well, it’s quite simply a huge “win” for someone who never even dared to dream of winning any race. I’ve been a recreational runner all my life. Twenty years ago when I ran a 5K or 10K, I was middle of the pack (and thinking nothing of it), and that was when I was in my prime athletic years. Now that I’m 50, I’m competing and actually finishing near the front?? That doesn’t make any sense. (Wait, did I say 50? I mean 40!!)
What does make sense is the realization that anyone, and I mean anyone, at any age, is capable of running faster, further and stronger with the right training and commitment. Yes, in the words of best-selling author Christopher McDougall, we are all “born to run.” But elite runners are made, and when it comes to competing, it’s all about technique, training, and time.
Lucky me, I just happened to come to the right place, because for the past four years as a client at TARGETRAINING, I’ve benefited from the knowledge and experience of an impressive group of coaches and athletes who I value for their encouragement and admire for their humility. You inspire me to keep reaching higher, and to recognize that my learning is far from over.
I could go on with all kinds of stories of how I’ve trained, the mistakes I’ve made, and all that I’ve learned, but the ultimate takeaway? Dare to dream – set a goal and go for it, you can do a lot more than you realize!
