Race Review: The Capital City Half Marathon

05-04-2013
Columbus, OH
Race Day Weather: 55F - Wind E 5 kts - Overcast 25,000'
Finishing Time 2:19:10
Bib#1440

To date this has been my largest race of the year with 8,100-plus running in the half marathon alone. This year's Cap City was presented by Key Bank and was hosted, of course, in the city of Columbus, Ohio. The race director stated on the local news that there was record turn out in registration this year, in large part because of the tragedy in Boston.

There were, in fact, many tributes to Bostonians at the race. Its worth mentioning as well that added security was noticeable. I would like to thank the Columbus Police Department for working at the race. As a pilot I found it interesting to be escorted by the department's helicopter along the course the entire morning. Security threat or not, it must also be difficult to organize a race this large - there were more than 14,000 runners in three different distances. The organizers did a great job, however, with plenty of aid stations, medical tents, and five corrals utilized for starting the crowd in waves.


The course started and finished downtown, wound its way north around the Ohio State University campus, then south through the city to German Village and finished back on High Street. I enjoyed all the neighborhoods we passed through - at least the sections I saw. I am guilty at times of looking just a few feet ahead of me when its crowded and letting the scenery pass me by.

If I were to sum up my race with one word it would be comfortable. I am finding that the races are becoming less of an effort and my recovery time is getting much shorter. If I hit a short rough patch mentally or physically, it's as if I can say to myself: 'okay, I know what this is, I have been here before, no big deal.' I am finding I can work through the difficulties faster and stay in the right frame of mind.

The best part of this race by far was getting to run it with my wife. This was her first long distance effort since giving birth. I stayed with her the entire course running side by side occasionally close enough to bump elbows. I was very proud of her finishing and the determination she showed.

On another note I have added the next four races on the calendar to the right. This will take us through the summer and half marathon number eight.