Monday, January 14, 2013

Race Review: Seacoast Half Marathon, Portsmouth NH Nov. 2012

Setting:  The race was a beautiful course, (it was the Seacoast Half Marathon after all), and passed some of the neatest areas along the New Hampshire coast, including the Wentworth hotel, New Castle island, plus salt marshes, and coastal views.  

Cost: $60-$65 depending on when you register.

Expo:  None.  But packet pick up was at Runner's Alley in Portsmouth, a great locally owned running store. 

Course: Take a look at the course from my Run Keeper app on my phone...you can't beat a course like this!  I love scenic courses because there is just so much to look at as you run.  As I crossed the bridge in front of the historic Wentworth by the Sea hotel, I took a good look around, took a huge breath of the fresh salt air and just could not stop smiling.  I love races like that.


The course was limited to a smaller race field...about 1200 I believe and it sold out in August!  So if you are planning on doing it make you register early.

The start line was nice because we were able to use Portsmouth High School to stay warm and for bathrooms and bag check.  

Jim got a PR with a finish time of 1:29:01 (6:48/mile) and finished 20th overall across the finish line.  I finished only two minutes slower than my PR and came in at 1:53:32 (8:37/mile).  I was having an "off" day and was just not feeling right for the first half of the course.  Otherwise, I think it would have been a PR for me.  It was a mostly flat course, comfortably cool and lots of crowd support.  People sat out on their lawns to cheer us on as my ran by their houses.  It had a lot of community support and that is always  nice to see.

Finish:  It was a pure downhill finish which I love.  Here I am sprinting all out,  about to pass a few guys spring towards the finish!



Here we are happy after the race

I was able to meet up with my friend from college Amy Warner.  Amy ran the race and after the finish we headed into Portsmouth and had lunch and a beer at the Portsmouth Brewery Amy and I have been virtual training partners in a way over facebook since we live so far apart.  When I see she's gone out for a run that day, it kicks me into gear to go complete mine as well!  Thanks Amy!
 



When we got back Avery loved seeing mommy and daddy with medals around our necks!

Overall, another great race.  We did this as a destination race and I highly recommend it.  It was worth flying up from DC for!  There is so much to do on the NH seacoast and it is so beautiful.  


Grade:  A





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