In preparation for my first goal race of the year, I decided to build up through shorter distances. I started with a 5km at Payerne, then did the 10km at Kerzers, and the Zurich half-marathon was the next step. I was excited to be racing a half-marathon and also pleased to head to Zurich to experience the city a little before the race.
I travelled to Zurich a few days early to do some training sessions with Ben, who I will be racing some swimrun events with in the summer. This wasn't exactly a taper, as we went hard in a couple of swims and runs, which I really enjoyed and which helped us to become a better team. I wasn't too worried about resting up, as this was an interim goal and race, and I needed to maintain some consistency as I worked towards the marathon in May.
As the race started at 13h15, I had plenty of time in the morning for a slow start to the day, to think about my race strategy, and to get to the start. I planned to run a pace of 3:45/km for the first 14km and then see if I could pick up the pace from there. On the way to the start, it was a little wet but warm which were good conditions for running. I did my usual warm-up and joined plenty of runners in the starting pens.
From the start, I settled easily into my race pace. I was in a good group and didn't need to work too hard or think too much about controlling the pace. I wasn't sure if I would be able to pick it up, as the effort felt okay, but not necessarily easy. However, at about 10km, I found myself moving out of and back into the group I was with at every slight turn of the road. I was the only one cutting the tangents and aiming to run the shortest route. On one long curve, I ended up on the other side of the course. I tried to hold my own pace, and naturally I started to run a little faster and move ahead of the group. I decided to go with this effort, even if it was a little earlier than planned.
Over the next 7–8km, I was feeling super focused and completely at home in the effort and the task of the day. I was gradually catching and passing runners, and it felt great. I was consistent in my pacing, and this was rewarded with a stream of runners slowly coming back to me. In the last few kilometres, the race wound through the city and I could feel the effort, as well as all the turns and cobbled sections. I didn’t slow, but it was harder work to get to the finish while holding the same pace.
In the end, I was very happy with my performance and effort on the day. I’ve had the feeling that I’m behind where I hoped to be at this point in the year, but after that effort, I know I’m close to where I was at the same time last year, and I’m resolved not to think about where I could have been any more. In any case, I was much faster than in my last half-marathon in Lausanne a few years ago. With only four weeks until the Geneva marathon, I’m in good shape and have a chance to sharpen up and get ready for a good race there.
Race result
13 April 202521km
1:17:17
60th
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