SMH Half Marathon 21.1ks

Woke early at 5 am. Made my way to the start arriving about 6.45 am.
Had to make two toilet stops before the start. Better than going on the run I reckon.
Must have been the pasta. It was not from drinking too much water early.

Met up with at least a dozen cool Runners before the start. Can't name all as I am embarrassed to say I have forgotten some. Sorry.
Made my way to the start area about 7.15?
Kept my distance back from the start line a fair way, about 30 metres I think.
They may knock about 15 seconds off my gun time. Started with a few older striders nearby me.

Blue Dog pushed past me to get a better start. Your secrets out Dog. Hah.
Told Vespa to get up the front as she pushed past me before the start.
Must have helped for both as they had cracker races.

I thought I went out ok and just tried to stay a steady pace no matter how many people went past me. I reached the 5k in about 20.55.The drink station here was a bit tricky, on a slope and a corner. Why not place it up the hill either side. Got to the 10k in 43:00 I think a little confused on where the sign was. Don't remember any other splits.

I didn't think to me the hills were as bad as others have made out. They drop other runners back towards you enabling you to pass them.
I liked the course, the loops enabling you too see the front runners moving so fast and the back of the packers showing all the guts to get to the finish.
Saw Lucky Legs as I was going up Hunter St the 2nd time, with police escort as Brett Cartwright was about to come from behind down the hill.

The CR cheer squad was unreal and got a great pump running away to Pitt st the 2nd time and then the last time going up Argyle St. Standing next to my parents they were pumped by the support. Thank you.
Ran the whole race on my own without having any Striders or Cool Runners around me, but you get that sometimes. Probably made me concentrate harder.

I did newly meet Minersrun and MacRunner before the start and Tuttle during the race.

The last 500metres was a blur as I could hear the announcer screaming sub 90, sub 90, sub 90.
Finally finished in 89:49. I have checked, my PB was 89:51. So a 2 second PB. Oh well.
It is four half PB's in a row, so that's ok.

Great to see so many people ran PB's today. I wish I had run better but there is always next year for this course anyway. And touch wood I will be a lot faster by then.

The finish had water, power bars, bananas and a sunday paper.
Picked up my bag as soon as I could get up the hill. A quick stop at the Striders Whites house. Thanks for hosting. Fantastic house and view.
Off to the Swans match, missed the pub again. Had a beer at the footy instead.