I set a half marathon PR at the relatively warm Chicago 13.1 yesterday, running 1:35:29.
Approaching the finish line
Yesterday’s Chicago 13.1 was the first half marathon I’ve raced, so it was going to be a PR by default, but I did run a 1:41:37 half-marathon split at the 2024 New York Marathon. My goal was to run a 1:37:00 (7:23/mi pace), which I met!
I was worried about what the weather would be like on raceday. As it turned out, it was sunny and high-sixties, which wasn’t ideal, but it could have been worse!
On the course, my first eight miles felt great. I felt like I had a lot more energy and could go faster, but I held myself relatively close to my target pace of 7:23/mi. By mile 10, I was feeling pretty strained. It was a struggle, but I was able to maintain my pace for the last 3.1 miles. I finished in 1:35:29. In retrospect, I’m glad I didn’t push myself in the first half.
With the 13.1 completed, it’s time for me to begin training for the Chicago Marathon!
My splits by mile:
- 7:23
- 7:23
- 7:19
- 7:12
- 7:12
- 7:16
- 7:16
- 7:13
- 7:19
- 7:16
- 7:22
- 7:17
- 7:23
- 0:42 (0.1 miles)
Check out my official results.