Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon

This last weekend was supposed to have been 'all running all the time' with a 6km race scheduled for Saturday morning and a half marathon - the Rhythm and Blues - on Sunday.  As it turned out the 6k Buffalo Wallow was practically washed out - even though some people did show up and run it.  I did not quite sleep in - was already up and the dogs had to be fed - but I was not going to slip and slide through the mud of Spotts Park so packed it in. 

The next morning was a lot better and a bunch of us - probably just over 1,000 - tackled the 13.1 mile Rhythm and Blues half marathon.  Living up to its name, the race had several pretty good blues bands along the course and at the end, and another blues ensemble played at the post race festivities.  Combine that with some good food - even some vegan options from Snap Kitchen - and three different kegs from the new Karbach brewery and it made for a really enjoyable morning.  Saw some friends whom I had not seen in a while as well.  My time of 1:54 was so-so, I guess the best that can be said is that I maintained a steady pace throughout, right around 8:40 per mile.  The three-loop course does get to be a bit boring but it is 'only' 13.1 miles... Half the distance and twice the fun of a full 26.2 mile marathon.  Actually I am feeling fine this morning (Monday) and will probably do a few easy miles tonight.  The Rhythm and Blues run also had a 5K component which was run before the half marathon, with about the same number of entrants as the half.  So a pretty good turnout for an inaugural race. Well done to Raymond Cooper of Finish Strong Sports and his team of volunteers and assistants.