2014 Geist Half Marathon - Fisher's, IN

I have decided with my blog, I will give a light overview of my performance, to include results; however, I am not going to bore you with pre-race meals, descriptions of my attire and what I did to recover. Instead, I would like to provide some tips on preparation and an overview of the races I participate in so you can make the choice whether to run them and if running is for you. No pressure!

Geist is always awesome! Mr. Tom Britt is a top-notch fella and runners can always expect great swag, amazing volunteer excitement and views unlike any other. 

After a bit of a late start, for good reason, we were off and running in my 6th Geist Half Marathon. The course changed this year; however, the experience did not! Organizers and volunteers were a their best on a chilly, beautiful morning around the reservoir. The first half of the race went quick. It seemed mostly downhill, and the second half of the race proved my theory with proof. The last three miles are extremely tough. Conquering this course and crossing the finish is a definite accomplishment, as runners are rewarded with goodies, medals and cheers. Awesome as usual Geist Half team. Thanks again! 

Aside from my hometown race, the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon, Geist has a fond place in my heart. I am alway treated well up there.

Here are my results:

37th overall place of approximately 1506 participants

Overall time 1:32:09, pace 6:58/mi

36th in gender and 5th in age division

Pretty darn good for such a beautiful yet tough course.

Geist is one of the top three races I have participated in the Midwest. Aside from the race, the area is beautiful with nice places to stay, eat, shop and enjoy. Come for the experience of the Geist Half Marathon and stay a few days for the warm hospitality and scenery Fishers and the Great Indianapolis area offers.

 

Follow me on: 

 Twitter @jameshoagy,  Facebook, and on my blog:
JamesRunstheNation.blogspot.com


        

Thank you for reading, commenting and, as always, HAPPY RUNNING!

FIT4LIFE

Moving on Up - an Age Group - What a B-day Present!

Moving on Up - an Age Group - What a B-day Present!
April 26, 2014 - Wow, another awesome year of running! I have not posted on the blog in ten (10) months. The last time I wrote was in June of 2013, following the hardest road race in recent memory. Heat, hills and blaring sun is a difficult recipe to stir up for a strong race, and I felt every part of it. Since, I have PR'd once in a ten-mile race and twice in half marathons. The last PR was in the KDF Half, my hometown love, in my last race in the 30-34 age group, finished in 1:28:05, good enough for 106th place, overall.

In 2013, I ran 13 half marathons, 1,615 miles, in 204 hours and 36 minutes. As of today, since 2008, I have logged 8,600 total miles. Pretty cool!!!

Now, I move on the an equally competitive, if not more, age group: 35-39. Runners are at their peak and this is their chance to run the best miles and races of their competitive or recreational running career. I am no different. I love running and I put a great deal of effort into every race. I have completed around 60 half marathons, and countless other distance races, and still love it like my first.

I have enjoyed the ride, seeing places, spending time with my wife, and building a great relationship with my running partner, Thomas Hines. I celebrate victories within races, flaunt UK gear no matter the city and take in the magnitude of the effort I put forth, the enjoyment I get in return, and the person my hobby has made me over the years.

I vow to keep scheduling races (I have the Backside Trail Half Marathon tomorrow morning), to keep enjoying and making the most of the hobby I love so much and to keep letting the result grow me as a better husband, son, friend, person, and even one day as a father. I hope to have an impact on people for the better, and that's all I want for my birthday, today. :) Thanks to everyone for the inspiration.