Tobacco Road Half Marathon

Tobacco Road Half Marathon
March 20, 2011
Cary, NC

Author's note: this post marks a number of firsts. It's my first blog post ever on NORSA, and the subject matter is my first ever race. I will now enter the 3rd person narrative, as is NORSA custom.

Early in 2011, Eugene decided he would join a few of his UNC Kenan-Flagler friends in training for this race. After all, he had always been jealous of NORSA members who possessed the ability to wake up early on a weekend to bike, swim, and run competitive distances. After seeking out the advice of some experienced NORSA runners he began a 10 week training process which involved a calculated series of hills, intervals, tempo, and long runs. In true BSchool fashion, Eugene created an elaborate spreadsheet that tracked not only time, distance, and pace for each training run, but also how he felt after each workout. The first week required that he complete a 4 mile run faster than race pace. Prior to this, the most miles Eugene had ever run in a row was three. It scarcely needs to be said that some of those early workouts were very difficult but slowly but surely they became more palatable. Then in late January, Eugene lost his cousin James unexpectedly, and he decided he would dedicate his training to him for some extra motivation then wear a commemorative T-shirt on raceday. The week before his spring break was the most difficult training week requiring a 6 and a 12 miler with one day's rest in between. He knew he would be partying it up in South Florida for the next 2 weeks, so even though he felt like absolute death at the end of the 12er, he finished and was mildly pleased with the time. Needless to say, not much training occurred during spring break 2011, but some limping did, so it was back to the drawing board again for the last 2 weeks leading up to the race. Nevertheless, he felt that a 9:15-30/mile pace was reasonable and made his raceday playlist accordingly.


After waking up at an ungodly hour in freezing temperatures, Eugene and friends waited in the bus lines to bring them to the course. When they finally got on their bus, it immediately became lost and drove around Apex, NC making awkward U-turns in inopportune spots. It was later learned that many buses became lost on the way to the course that morning. In fact, logistical snafus were a theme throughout the event. Had it not been for several intrepid UNC souls who came out to watch the finish of the race in their SUV, the 9 people who bussed over from the parking lot would have had to wait in another two hour-long bus line after the race ended. Evidently someone forgot to tell the bus company that their buses would be needed again. Eugene speculated that they were still simply lost. It always helps to do a practice run. Once in place, the race was delayed by 30 minutes or so which caused a bit of consternation and warmth-huddling, but did provide the opportunity to keep hydrating, as Eugene had left both his breakfast and his water on the kitchen counter.

Once the race finally got moving the course itself was incredible. Very flat and straight. Eugene hit the 4.5 mile split in 8:24/mile, which is way faster than he had ever trained. He recalled some sage NORSA advice that this would be the case and briefly thought of slowing down, however he decided to ride out his pace as long as he could. By mile 9.5 or so, just as the beer he chugged with FUPA's Raleigh hash team was beginning to feel like not the greatest idea, the old man with whom he had been pacing took off and torched him the rest of the way. The proverbial wall was being hit and Eugene estimates his last 2 miles or so were done at about a 10 minute pace. Nonetheless, the last split indicated that there was a chance that he could finish in under 2 hours. Right on cue the theme from "Last of the Mohicans" came over the iPod speakers. With the exception of being burned by the old man, Eugene was happy with his sub 9:00 pace (albeit only by 2 thousandths of a second by excel's calculations) and finishing in the top 50%, and can probably still bench press more than the old man can.

After the race ended the organizers had cookies, pizza, wings, beer, and other food for the finishers from local establishments. A few days later the race directors issued a statement saying they are working through the transportation issues for next year's race which is expected to be closer in number of participants to this year's race than this year's race was to last year's (i.e. they weren't prepared this year, but they will be next year, trust them). Regardless, it is a fine race and I highly recommend it. See you after the Tar Heel 10 miler in April.


Race Results:
Net Time - 1:57:53
Pace - 9:00/mile
Overall Place - 751/2,300
Male Place - 441/903
Age Group Place - 34/76