The Half at the Hamptons 2014 preview

I’ve run this race twice before. It’s a nice flat course and goes through some awesome New Hampshire country side that lets me fantasize about what our region looked like in the old days. We also wind through some toney neighborhoods with some truly impressive “cottages”.

As a local race for my running club we often have a good crew show up. The first time I ran this race I went by my self. After the race I had two beers and went home. Not really a great time. In 2012 I went with my running mate, Jeff. We both ran hard and had a great race. He was driving so I got to drink as much Smuttynose as I wanted. It was so good!

In 2013 the forecast was for a bad storm and the race was cancelled. We had some rough weather last winter. Hopefully this year we will be okay and we will have a day that is atleast in the 30’s.

Here is some information and things to keep in mind for the race.

Don’t Forget to bring a few food items!

Help us fill the local Food Pantries!

For 2014, we are asking all runners to consider bringing in two food items from the list on the right*. LOCO Sports has teamed up with the local Hampton Area Rotary to fill the shelves of the local food pantries.

*See their web site for a complete list.

FREE RUNNING SOCKS: LOCO will be donating running socks to everyone that brings in a contribution and commit to contributing whatever is needed to fill the pantries.

If we can afford to do this sport and eat what we do, we can afford to help hungry families. Put a few items in your go bag so you wont forget them.

Course maps

This race is known to be flat and fast, and it truly is. One thing to keep in mind is that we do spend about half of the race on Ocean Blvd. It can be warm when we are running in-land, but when we are right on the ocean it can be cold. If there is a gail off of The Atlantic you can freeze your ass off.

Just before mile 10 we come back out onto Ocean Blvd to experience the full glory of Coastal New England in February. If you over heat while running on protected and sun filled roads in the previous few miles you are in for the frost of your life if conditions are poor.

My suggestion is to wear layers. I ALWAYS recommend wearing a top layer that you can unzip. I often wear two layers that have zippers. When the sun is beating down on you on a sheltered road, even in February, it can get warm. The ability to un-zip a jacket and allow some body heat out will greatly improve your comfort performance.

Getting over heated and becoming dehydrated can ruin your race. More sweat means more lost electrolytes. You can bonk on a half marathon.

When you are running in an exposed area such as an open field or right on the ocean you will want to zip those layers back up. Even if you properly managed your body temperature on the back roads, you will still be sweaty. The icy ocean breeze will rock you to your core.

If you were close to cramping or running out of juice, Jack Frost will finish you

off. Hypothermia is a possibility. If you took off a sweat shirt or jacket while running on the back roads you will need to pull that back over your head as you approach Ocean blvd. In my experience it is easier to unzip a jacket when I’m warm and just zip it up when Jack Frost comes a visiting.

When you are cold it can be difficult to pull something over your head. It’s even more difficult if you try not to slow down so as not to blow your finish time. Most of us also wear hats and sunglasses. Try pulling something over your head while running and not knocking your hat and sun glasses off. Good luck.

Wear something with a zipper. You’ll be glad you did.