My knee was quite sore for most of this week, and I was seriously reconsidering my interest in racing the Hamilton Road to Hope Half Marathon.  I took it very easy on Friday and Saturday, and resolved to use a brace and try some strides Saturday evening to see how it was holding up. No problem. Sunday morning we were up early to catch the shuttle up to the start. My friend Nick was running his first marathon, hoping to run around 3:08.  My sister Jody met us up at the start line. After seeing him off, the half marathoners lined up and were off.  I had thought to run with a fuel belt but quickly decided that it was a bit loose and I could do without the extra weight.

The lead pack took the first km very quickly, and I was quickly off the back. I pulled back up to the group, but thought their pace unsustainable for myself, and gradually they pulled away. Another runner came by, and I stayed with him for 2-3km until the top of the expressway and the long descent. 10k came at 34:46, and marked the end of the most significant downhill.

At around 15km I began to notice a hotspot under the centre of my foot, just behind my toes, likely due to wearing slightly thicker than usual socks that made my shoes a little bit tight.  Still nothing from the knee though, and on I went.  The deafening cheers of the kids from Sir Allan McNab gave extra encouragement in the last few kilometres, especially as the hot spot had turned into a blister. I crossed the line 10th, in 1:16:08, and was greeted by some friends from the Blaze race we ran down the Niagara escarpment in June.

Jody was there again and we hung out and I hobbled about until Nick came in, ahead of his goal at 3:05:05!