Although not having done much (let's be honest) in the way of specific training targeting the half marathon distance I was hoping that two and a half months of casual training at 5,500ft would allow me to blow this race out of the water. That didn't happen. I somehow chose a race in Rhode Island which has a greater elevation gain than the 2nd San Francisco Half Marathon! Go figure. Possibly more challenging was the stout head and side wind along the stunning (and unprotected) Atlantic. The humidity was another factor reminding me I wasn't in Kansas, er Arizona, anymore. The result was a lethargic sounding but hard earned 6:03 pace. This produced a finish aprox. 2:30 slower than my PR from 2014. I was however able to successfully get some satisfaction out of having four points from shooting my water cups into the trash cans through the aid stations on my way to a second place finish. Shout out to my friend in ABQ for the racing shorts after having inadvertently forgotten mine on the rez. Additional thanks to the construction site (lineless) porta-potty a half mile away from the start which enabled me to skip the lines and start on time!
One of multiple articles in the local news here. In short, the race course is stunning, with a significant degree of water side running and impeccably organized. It is not however a PR course, best look else where if that is what you are looking for!