Background

The Wineglass Half Marathon has been on my running bucket list for some time now. My running buds have boasted about this race as have many other runners online. It has also continually been ranked as one of the best in the country.  Everything that has been claimed about this event nestled in New York’s Finger Lakes, wine country, and the series of race is true. This race also caps off my racing for 2024. 

At least once each year I also like to select a major race that includes travel, preferably by car, to a unique area. The Wineglass met the criteria. We were fortunate to locate an Airbnb host set in the countryside of southern New York with amenities that enabled longtime friends to join us on the trip as well. This actually had a special side benefit for me on race morning. I was able to be chauffeured to the bus loading area and did not have to worry about finding a parking space in an unfamiliar area.

Pre-Race

We arrived in the area the evening ahead of the race expo. This was great as it allowed not only some rest after driving nearly 8 hours but also meant that I could get to the expo early on Saturday leaving the rest of the day to tour some of the wine country in New York. Which we did! Once again being chauffeured around the countryside of Corning, NY, I was constantly reminded of being in northern Michigan’s wine country. The trees had started to change colors and enhanced the natural beauty of the area.

Of course, we also just “had to” visit a couple of wineries and sample their selections. A few once’s of wine surely would not affect my racing performance the next day. We were presented with some difficult decisions when it came to decide to purchase any of the samples we had. It was tough, but we did select a couple of bottles from each location and now look forward to enjoying them at a special occasion in the near future.

Towards the end of the day we took advantage of our host’s recommendation and enjoyed perhaps the best Italian dinning I have had in years! Sorege’s Restaurant in downtown Corning not only gave me an opportunity to enjoy a great spaghetti with basil pesto sauce, but also to carbo load some. I must stop and dispense the myth that distance runners need to eat a big carb dinner the night prior to a race. Runners instead should eat large at least two nights prior to the race and only modestly the night prior. Well, I may have stretched the modest part a bit but it was worth it.

Being at Sorge’s also was an opportunity to preview the finish area of the race. I can’t stress enough the need and importance to prepare mentally for a race too. We also selected a spot where my support team and I would meet-up following the race. Stay tuned to see how well that turned out.

Race Training

Thus far, I have had my best running year in nearly 10 years. Every race I ran, I finished on the podium for my age group.  Highlighted by my recent 2nd place finish in the Crim 10 Mile late August where I ran very well in finishing with an average pace of 8:22 per mile.  So, as I approached Wineglass, I set my goal of running an 8:20 average pace for the 13.1 miles. This would also coincidentally result in breaking the 1:50:00 mark too! Admittedly, this goal was a bit ambitious yet also something I believed I could achieve too. The last time I had not run a sub 1:50 half marathon was 2016. The die was cast.

In order to achieve my goal, I knew that September was going to be a grueling month. There were many Monday mornings that I dreaded having to start the week with a longer tempo paced run, followed by another similarly challenging workout mid-week, and of course the mandatory long run Saturday mornings.  This sounds like a simple plan but it was beginning to drag on me mentally. On the other hand, it also sorts of toughened me up mentally too! If I could survive September, I could realize my goal in October. Then, before I knew it, it was October and I was in New York, ready to race.

Race Morning

While our rental housing was set in the beautifully remote countryside of southern New York, it also meant it was about a 20 minute drive to where I needed to be on race morning to board a bus at about 5:30 AM that would take me over 13 miles away to the actual starting line. Which of course meant I had to wake-up at 4 AM to prep accordingly. I will spare the details of my pre-race morning prep except to say that it includes, coffee, a bagel, a banana, and a photograph.

Again, I took advantage of my chauffeured service and we rode in the early morning darkness along a narrow and fogged covered road that at times represented more of a trail than road. Of course there were also deer and the occasional other critters we needed to dodge too! But somehow after finding ourselves lost at the end of a long line of school busses and following a few others, we found a point where I could be dropped to catch my bus.

The boarding of the busses was mandatory for each of the nearly 2,300 runners. So the boarding process started very early at 5:00 AM and extended until almost race time. But it was extremely well organized. It also reminded me of the Bayshore Half Marathon in Traverse City, Michigan. That too was a point to point race. The difference here was that when we got off the busses runners could stay inside the halls of the local high school. Compared to Bayshore where the starting line area was in a field and most runners could find comfort on the ground under a tent.

The weather conditions were near perfect to run a race. The temps were in the low 40’s, there was a little fog yet in the area, but there was no wind and the sun would surely peek through at some point. So the big question here for runners is, what to wear? Years of running many races where I was overdressed and thus very uncomfortable during a race taught me that it was much better to feel a bit chilly just prior to a start then feeling comfortable. So I wore my race singlet, shorts, and a hat. My secret weapon was to apply Vaseline on my exposed shoulders just prior to the start.

The Start and The Early Miles

When the race started, I tried to stay with the 1:55 pacer but frankly they were moving too slow for my feel. Within a quarter mile or so I pulled away from the group and lost track of them and was running comfortably.  My first mile was a bit slower than my targeted pace at 8:30 and I thought I could run this and be happy with a slightly better time than my spring half marathon. But that’s not me. Once I set my mind to a goal then I focus on it.  I did continue to hold this pace for the first few miles. Then while still running comfortably, I noticed that my pace was moving into the 8:00+ ranges. 

This is where experience comes in.  In races years ago I would have gotten excited and run even a bit faster!  But experience taught me lessons. Instead, I simply continued.

One thing about any distance race is that somewhere during the middle miles you notice that you are running with the same group of people. Some may be slightly ahead and others you trade off positions. After the mid-point, I noticed that several runners in my group were starting to pull away from me. In particular, one lady who wore a yellow shirt. Good for them I thought, I am not racing them. I continued my pace which by now was showing I was holding to about a 8:20 average.  Great!  But can I continue this pace? If so for how long?  Well, it wasn’t long before I would realize the answer.

The Middle Miles

I was still running strong through mile 8 and holding my targeted 8:20 pace when I felt the fist sign of fatigue hit me.  I knew it was time to turn up the mental strength dial.  I had been counting the remaining miles to the 12 mile mark. In my mind I knew if I could hang in there to 12, I could certainly will a strong finish. So instead of telling myself I had 5 more miles, I convinced myself I had only 4 miles and heck, I can run 4 strong miles!

Just short of the 9 mile mark I took my second gel of the race and because of a clumsy grab for water, I stopped to walk a few steps. I may have lost only a few seconds here. Remember this.

The final few miles of the course meandered thru various neighborhoods and park paths. Overall the entire route was scenic but frankly, after the 10th mile, your mind is more focused on finishing. I did notice that many of the runners who had been in my group during the early miles and I since lost sight of were now within striking distance of me!  It wasn’t because I was running a lot faster, it was more due to them slowing down. Live and learn my friends, I have been there plenty of times before. I picked a few of them off one by one.

Coming out of the neighborhoods, I made a turn and saw that bridge! Dang, normally this bridge would not be an issue but after running mostly downhill for nearly 12 miles the rise over the river represented a mental and physical barrier. I was REALLY tempted to take a brief walk break, but I knew I was spot on for hitting my targeted pace to finish so, I slowed a bit then recovered on the downhill side of the bridge.

Coming off the bridge there was the last turn in the course. The finish line was a little more than a half mile away and I could smell it!  Buoyed by the bridge and recollecting the final turn of the Crim course, I started to run even stronger.  I could see that finish banner ahead!  The sides of Market Street were lined with spectators and the cheers were loud and encouraging!

There were two young runners just ahead of me. I had to get by them if I wanted any chance for a decent finishing photo! So, I ran even faster!  With about 50 yards to go I was pushing as hard as I could. I even heard the announcer announce my name! Then there it was!  The finishing clock and I could see I was going to break the 1:50 mark!  I did it!  I was beat but happy too.

The finish area was one of the best I have experienced in any race. There was even a photo opp with your name and time. This is where I learned my official time was actually 1:49:06!  I gathered the post race goodies which included chicken soup!

The only question was how did I score in my age group?  I knew my time was good enough to win my age group. As it turned out, there was one too many runners in the race. I placed 2nd in my age group to someone who was nearly 3 years younger than me and ran a 1:34. Good for him. There was no way I could compete with him. I was quite happy with both my time, finish, and effort today.  Overall, not too shabby for an old dude in the shadows of his 73rd birthday.

Post Race

While much of the race course reminded me of the Bayshore Half Marathon, the finish line post race area reminded me of the Crim post race area. It was very well organized and offered a few amenities to runners I have not experienced at other races. There was a digit sign displaying each runners official finishing time. Runners lined up to be photographed by there appearance on the sign. While I knew I had broke the 1:50 barrier it was not until I saw my time that I finished at 1:49:06. Hmmm? My first thought was whether or not I lost 6 seconds walking through that last water stop. No worries, still happy.

My “support team” that was kind enough to chauffer me to the bus loading hours earlier returned to the finish area just ahead of my finish and hopefully drive me back to our house. The problem was, the area was very crowded and while I had my phone on me, it was about to die because it apparently wasn’t fully charged at the start of the race and used significant power along the race route. I was able to connect with them and speak just enough to know sort of where they were. I doubled back several blocks and about 20 minutes later, by chance, found them! That would have been a very long run back to the house!

The post-race celebration was just beginning. After I cleaned up I was able to enjoy more than a once or two of wine and share some of the more interesting details of my race experience.

The Future

For the first time in years my racing year has ended as early at the first weekend in October. I welcome and now look forward to taking some time to simply run less, run easier, and recover from one of my more successful years of running.

I echo the claims of by running buds who recommended this half marathon to me and now also highly recommend the Wineglass series of races to any runner. Put it on your bucket list! Perhaps one day I may return, until then, I will be looking for a similar race experience to challenge me next year.

Finally, I did not run this season alone. I had awesome support from a new group of running buds lead by Coach Claire Bartholic (aka The Planted Runner) and the many fine members of her PR Team.

And thank you for reading my story, it was a bit long but so is running a half marathon. Thank you and check back soon.

Coach Lee