The Hoodie was the attraction to running the 30th annual Capital City River Run.

The Set Up

At the beginning of every new running year, I set out to run different races. However, with a few predetermined races that I run every year, the cost of each race, and the ability to schedule into everything else going on in general, this has been difficult to actually achieve in recent years. So, this earlier this year I decided to forego the Detroit Half Marathon and seek out other options for fall races.

After completing my 36th Crim 10 Mile at the end of August, my racing calendar was still bare. So time to knuckle down and make some decisions. I knew I wanted to run a half marathon or maybe even two. Then there was the question of how to continue to train for these potential races in order to finish with a respectable time. After weeks of searching and mentally debating with myself, I decided to run the Capital City River Run in Lansing MI on September 24 and the Marshall University Half Marathon about six weeks later in Huntington WV. Both events met my criteria as races I have never run before, and the Marshall University also filled other criteria as a destination run.

What made selecting the Capital City Half Marathon an easy decision were two things. First the entry fee of $65 was very reasonable for a half marathon event, especially as a later entry. But what really closed the deal was the fact that all runners receive an awesome fleece hoodie too! Race hoodies alone can cost anywhere from $65 on upward. Other enticements included the fact that this was a relatively flat course, a scenic route, and the later (8:00AM) morning start meant I would have plenty of time to make the drive from my home to Lansing, pick up my bib (and hoodie of course), and still have plenty of time to do a proper pre-race warm-up routine. I promise to write about the Marshall University Half Marathon following that event too.

The Start

The race starts in front of the Lansing Center. In addition to the HM there is also a 5K running simultaneously. What was interesting and very different is that instead of both races starting in one mass with runners splitting along the route, there was a single start yet separate start. From this single point, the 5K runners run toward the west and Michigan’s State Capitol Building, while the half marathoners run towards the east and the Michigan State University campus.

And we are off! The half marathoners on the left head towards the MSU campus and the 5K runners on the right, head towards the Michigan Capitol. Each running their separate routes.

There was plenty of opportunity to do a decent pre-race warm-up. The weather was as perfect as it can get for a race. Temps were just below 50 degrees, but the sun was bright and there was only a minimal breeze. My biggest concern at this point was still how I would manage to run this race. I had not been running well in the weeks prior and I realistically thought I should be happy if I could manage running a little over 2 hours (or about a 9:15/mile pace) for this half marathon. I also thought I would be ecstatic if I could run below the 2-hour mark (or less than 9:00/mile pace) too. Up until this year most of my half marathon times have been well below the 2-hour time. I also knew that my training this year was nowhere near my training in recent years too. So, I decided to play it safe, start very slow and let the race develop. I lined up with the 9:30 pace group.

I despise pace groups but that's another post. I did start at a pace that I felt was slow. Turns out I was running about 8:45 and it felt easy! But I knew better so I slowed down, but just a bit. The first two miles or so are along Michigan Ave. and straight into the early morning sunshine. Then the route takes a right turn and before you know it you are running along a paved bike path in a densely wooded area with the Red Cedar River along the trail. So that’s where the name River Run comes from!

The Early Miles

My first thought was that this was nice but despite the path being crowded by runners I wondered if this was just a brief link to a regular road. Well, turns out there were a few more miles along roads but my guess is that at least 75% of the last 10 miles or so was along this path and mostly in a very shaded and scenic route.

As we approached the 2 mile mark I (white hat) was running close behind the 9:00 min pace group and running easy.

I never saw the 9:30 pacer after the very start of the race but did catch up and followed the 9:00 min pace group for the first 6 miles but frankly I just could not hold their pace, they were too slow! So I gave a short burst and stayed in front for the next 5 miles to just past the 11-mile mark. While I did not want to let them pass me, they apparently decided to pick it up the pace. I had simply ran out of juice at this point so I let them pass me.

The Final Miles

A combination of not knowing the course and frankly not doing many long runs this year combined to cause me to slow down a bit. Up until mile 11 I was averaging a very steady 8:50 pace. I knew at that point that I simply had to continue to run steady and I would be rewarded with a sub 2 hour half marathon and hopefully maybe even an Age Group win too! So I tried my best to simply keep running, telling myself this tired feeling was all in my mind and I did in fact have the ability to finish this race strong!

Somewhere around mile 11 and I was still managing to stay ahead of the 9:00 min pacer as we ran along yet another boardwald, but not for much longer.

By this time the crowd of near shoulder to shoulder runners that existed during the early miles had now diminished to a thin line of runners separated by yards instead of feet. I was able to pass a few runners who had slowed more than me. While this may provide a mental boost it’s not long lasting for shortly thereafter there is that occasional runner who is obviously better trained than me and knows the course who has started their finishing kick!

I also knew that my GPS watch was not totally accurate as it ticked off my mile splits about 100 yards ahead of each mile marker along the course. This is to be expected as it’s hard to run every tangent perfectly especially this winding route. But then I saw a tall building ahead through the tree canopy and figured the finish line had to be within sight, so I gave it my best to finish strong to the finish line!

Finally! I made it! 13.18 actual miles in 1:57:00 chip time! First Place in 70-74 AG !

During the final 100 yards there was no one in front of me. I could not wait to pass under that banner. As I approached, I saw the timing clock at 1:57:30 too! My official (chip) time was 1:56:56 for an 8:53 min/mile avg. I had my sub-2 hour half marathon!

Following the finish, I received my finisher medal, and promptly sought out the post race pizza! The pizza was perhaps the best pizza ever served after a race. So good I went back for seconds. It was also time to seek out and congratulate runners who I ran with and celebrate an awesome half marathon experience!

My traditional finisher medal kiss. Thanks to 501 Club runner, Akiko for this selfie of us celebrating our race experience.

Finally, I sought out the awards table and learned that I had officially won my Age Group with a little more than a 3 minute cushion. Overall, I was 225th of 653 runners too! Not too shabby for this old guy who still runs.

Thermos style mug and finisher medal. This was a great race and looking forward to running it again.

Next up, I will take a week or so to recover then focus on my next half marathon in early November to close out the 2023 year of racing. Please check back later for that report.

Thank you for taking your time to read my story. Hopefully it may have inspired you to get out the door and run some too? I welcome your comments below.

Coach Lee