Chilly Half race report

[Decker]

Sorry this is so late. I’ve just been a slacker. Last week was the Chilly Half Marathon race. It is known to be a fun race with plenty of cheering spectators, a flat, fast course and of course Chilli and a cold beer at the end. And I have to say it did not disappoint on any front. The volunteers were fantastic, from the air cadets in the bag check (who let me go back no less than 4 times to get stuff I forgot) to the many happy volunteers at the aid stations. The weather was freezing cold the day before, but warmed up and became lovely and sunny on race day. Not too hot, just right. I even left my jacket back. The course weirdly felt like a downhill the whole way. It was really flat. And they set it a little in from the shoreline so the crosswind was mostly blocked. I began the race too fast I thought, at around a 4:59 pace, but it felt good and something inside said “ lets try this out” so I kept going and took my gels at the 8k/ 16k and 19k marks. I was using hammer gels which were much more tasty and easier on the stomach than the cheaper cliff gels I used in the marathon back in October. Bit pricier but worth it in retrospect. The last 5k were a bit of a slog as I was trying to keep the same pace up. By the end I was fully spent. Nothing left in the tank. But it wound up a 12 min PR from my last race so the running gods were smiling today. The Chili and beer with my run group were a perfect finish. There were alot of PRs in the group. Some were astoundingly fast. I felt really unprepared for this one but the week rest I took may have helped along with the weather and great course. I was really happy with my final chip time of 1:47:20 (faster than my watch time as I forgot to stop it!) and have no complaints at all.

[Irish-John Marathon]

That's an enviable time Big D Well done, well run!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks John. The conditions all fell together really well for this one

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Decker]

It's the best feeling when that happens Makes up a million times over for those occasionally "blah" runs

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Irish-John]

Sure does! There have been enough of those

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Whoohoo!!! What a great time. You’re getting very speedy! What a neat medal, too. Congrats on a great race.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask. The medal was really nice this year and super thick, like a quarter inch solid

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Congrats on your pb! It sounds like an all around great race for you - nice weather, cool medal, chili and a beer. 😊

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Lavender1962]

It was really great thanks Lav. More than made up for the disastrous winter race back in November

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Superstar! ⭐️ What a fantastic race and what an epic time too Decker! 🎉

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It was a really fun race CC, thank you.

[Madge50 Marathon]

Wow Decker, what a great time, love the medal, I can imagine the savoury food after the run really went down well.

Well done! 🏅👍🏃‍♂️

Mx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Madge50]

Thanks Madge, the Chilli was excellent after the run, and free which was great too

[Deals1 Metric Marathon]

Wow!!! Great time! And report. Bet the chilli went down fast.😊

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Deals1]

Thanks Deals, yes the food disappeared quickly!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Blimey, that’s fast Decker! Great run and I love that bling, it looks bejewelled 👑 just up my street 😂

A beer is perfect for post-runs, it’s usually what I want to drink. Fab work, well done to you 🏃💪🙂

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. Yes I thought of you when I first saw this medal with the big Crown Jewel in the middle 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Wow!! Superstar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxx

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Aw thanks Abi xx 🙂

[Hidden]

Chilli and beer what a way to end a run 😁 sooo fast decker

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Yeah it was definitely my kind of recovery meal 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wowwweee! Amazing time. What a fabulous day on every level! Sometimes when we're least prepared and least expecting it, things just all fall into place ... and isn't that a great thing 😍

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. Yes I honestly was expecting very different results, but then things conspired for the better.

[backintime 10 Miles]

sounds like everything clicked just at the right time - you must have aced your preparation

chilli and beer - sounds heaven sent after a long run!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to backintime]

I really did not prep specifically for this one, but I have been doing a 20k long run since last Jan each weekend, so the distance was not an issue. Oh the chilli and beer hit the spot, let me tell you!

[Tbae Metric Marathon]

Amazing time and talent Roger.

🏃‍♂️⭐️👏👏💥💪☄️

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Tbae]

Thank you Tbae!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Great run report - and a really fantastic time Decker! 👍😀 Huge congratulations - you were clearly flying on this one! All in all, it sounds like a great day out - finishing with Chilli and beer with your friends too! Well done.🙂🏅

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, all the elements worked together this time around. Nice change from the last time when they all fell apart

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That sounds great! Love the medal too!😊xxx