We didn't get the torrential rain or thunderstorms that we expected at the Highland Half, but there was a light to moderate rain for most of the race. I followed the advice @MobyCarp gave me and got some Smartwool socks, and they kept the blisters to a minimum. I don't usually run in a hat, but I was glad to have one to keep the rain out of my eyes, even though it was too big for me. I put my phone in a ziplock bag and made sure my headphones were waterproof (they were), and I was good to go.

It was a small race already and a lot of people didn't show up (because of the weather, I assume), so only 88 people finished. Much of the course was on the Maryville Greenway, so we had nice views of a little creek and were kept company by assorted waterfowl. I'd heard others worrying about the hill at mile 10, so I held back a little, but when I got there...well, I wasn't very impressed by the "hill." I'm used to running on bigger hills than that! After that, I knew I was on track to PR, so I ran the last couple of miles with a big grin on my face. A few people who had already finished cheered as I got to the finish line, and I yelled, "I'm gonna PR it!" They all started yelling and cheering louder. I finished in 2:26:37, which was my first under-2:30 half marathon time and 13 minutes faster than last fall's PR.

No "after" pictures because everyone was ready to get out of the rain, but here's a "before" picture in my hat that's too big, and the medal.

I ran the Christchurch Half on Sunday. I wasn't expecting much as I had two dreadful nights' sleep prior, was battling with a sore throat, and woke to freezing cold, rain and wind. I layered up in a couple of merino thermals and had a light running jacket, however, at the last minute ditched the jacket as I get pretty hot when I run and the rain had abated to a drizzle. Feeling mediocre, I thought I'd just enjoy the day and not stress about my time and started at a comfortable speed, enjoying the beautiful views through Hagley Park, however, at 5k I discovered I was running dead on 5:10 pace - the speed I needed to go to achieve my dream sub 1:50. I was feeling good - the cold wasn't bothering me and the rain was light to intermittent (and the wind must have been behind me or diffused by the trees). At 10k I was still running well so I put my head down and concentrated on maintaining my speed. By 18k I knew I had it and sailed on to the finish line, largely oblivious to the icy headwind that everyone else complained about in the last 5k. I even managed to pass a few people in the last couple of kilometres. I'm thrilled with how the race went and am I loving my new PB!!

I am a distance runner. Friday evening I stepped outside my comfort zone and ran the Charlie McMullen Mile on a track. This is only the second time in my life that I have run a race this short. My goals were simple: Beat my time of 5:50.32 from 2 years ago, and stay ahead of my friend and team mate Bill to maintain my lead for the M 60-64 age group in the Rochester Runner of the Year Series.

I achieved both goals, winning the age group with a time of 5:44.90, after hearing Bill breathing behind me early in the last lap. Bill finished in 5:47.95 and did a good job of pushing me to run faster. We did a pretty good job of getting around that track, for a couple of guys over 60.

The medal was a cheap generic thing that didn't even say what it was an award for. I'm told it is gold, but I had a hard time seeing the difference between this and the bronze medals in the poor light at the track Friday.

Medved 5K to Cure ALS today. 81º F and quite humid. Runners were complaining about the heat. I didn't think it was all that hot, but the humidity was a bit annoying. Fast, flat course and some good runners to chase. Official time 19:32, good for 21st of 412 overall and 1st of 19 in the M 60-64 age group. No real bling, but I got a gift certificate for winning the age group: