YES!!!

Balaton half marathon - finally I managed to break 90 minutes, and it's not as big a barrier as I had thought.

My taper was spot on for me - a very hard run 7 days before, a lot of sleep, well hydrated, no beer for 2 weeks, swiming and a big carb load.

I got down early - drove down with Pierre, then met up with Michael and Pierre and I did a warm-up - around 5km. 

I wan't sure, but ran in shorts and the themal top. It was perfect. In fact it was great running weather.

Target was to beat 90 minutes, plain and simple.

Started off fast - but I expected this, people pulling me along at  4min/km pace. Not just for the first km, but the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th km as well. Only in the 5th was I slowing a little. It's nice to be ahead so early.

I settled into a routine, keeping the pressure going, but being careful not to let my pulse go crazy high.

Half distance in 43m19 - what??? Very fast - I normally grimace half way through, but I smiled this time -  barring injuries, I was going to beat 90 mins.

I have a metronome (counts steps per minute) and turned on at half way - I needed to control that I didn't run too fast, and also that I didn't slow down when feeling tired. I had planned for 88 beats per minute, but it's funny that I needed to turn it up to 90 beats per minute. I was able to push faster.

I was struggling a little in the second half - I was tired, maybe the start was a bit fast, I have never run 10km that fast before. Metronome was good - I knew what i had to do. I had to trun it to 89, and later 88, but not lower.

Eventually hit the grass - I knew it slows me down, but I wasn't sure why, now I know - I could not continue with the 88 paces per minute, not sure why - probably softer ground and also uneven ground.

Anyway, I got to 17km at around 1h10 - 4.1 km in 20 mins? I can do that! :)

I sped up towards the end, stopped the metronome and made some nice pace. Trying to sprint, but starting that speed early.

1h28m28 - wow! Nice!

I also know I can go faster - I got my timing wrong - almost two minutes between the halves and I should have pushed more in the second half. 

But for now I am going to relax and be happy with breaking 90 mins, a new personal best by nearly 2 minutes, and a good conclusion to the year :)