I had a plan! Ben followed it with me, which was wicked cool. I was wasted by the end, but Ben pulled ahead like a champ. It was based on the track workout I skipped this week (remember? save it ALL for the DU!)4 minutes Warm UP then: 3 minutes hard, 1 minute rest, 2 minutes hard, 1 minute rest, 1 minute hard, 1 minute rest, REPEAT.

Not be friggin' sick all GD winter :(

I was borderline lazy and definitely angry. I questioned my sanity and will to live.

Remember I'm a warrior princess and here to conquer.

I hit a SERIOUS pothole! She swallowed up m' whole front tire and I practically had to wheelly to get 'er out. My body was bent the wrong way when I did this and I swear had I not had (honest to goodness) experience with buckin' broncs, I woulda' been in the thickets. Anyhoo, I stayed on and was good for another 1/2 mile or so. At that point, I estimate that I had passed close to 30 of the people that had passed ME on the run. I know this because at that 1/2 mile point, my tire gave up. I watched about 25 people pass me back for about 10 minutes as that repair guy (luckily) pulled up nearly 1 or 2 minutes within the time my tire went out. The mosquitoes were AMAZING. We were there for about two minutes before we were enveloped in a swarm the size of a Volkswagen. I shooed them away from my Knight in Shining Armor until he had finished saving me and then continued on with the race. I have to say, I wasn't AS gung-ho after that point. But I was stunned I wasn't in last place. I took a lot of pride in that - and I thought the folks struggling along were pretty awesome for keeping up the fight. I know all too well how hard the last runner/racer is working.

Be sharper. Also, I need a repair kit (not necessarily for these shorter races) and I need to learn how to fix my own tire) - I'm way to cool to be a damsel in distress ;)

I forgot some of the old tricks here. I need to be sharper, visualize before I race.

Nothing much I was having fun. I told some strangers that I got a flat because my ego was hurting. I think that's pretty funny in hindsight.

I had the same plan, except: 5 minutes for getting used to jello legs, then: 3 minutes hard, 1 minute rest, 2 minutes hard, 1 minute rest, 1 minute hard, 1 minute rest, REPEAT.

Well, after the "5 minutes for getting used to jello legs" I hit a WALL. That first five minutes I felt ready to GO. I wish I had opened up there. I could have hit a wall and had a mile and a half to go - that would have been fine with me I think? I think I may have wasted some enthusiasm. Not sure? I did really enjoy this run, though. There was one jag bit of it where I wanted to give up because I didn't look ahead at the course map enough to know if it was out and back or not. I really do need time to visualize my whole day (nutrition, plan, race course) ahead of time. It helps me to relax and enjoy the whole thing a bit more. I did that for the most part, but that's what first races are for - reminders :)

I begged Ben to let me stretch, we watched the awards, marveled at how cool the AG winners were and then ate our fill at Denny's. A perfect day, really :)


Just coming off of being sick, no training for two weeks prior, a really tough winter. All that said, I did my best and I feel great about this race :)


AWESOME volunteers - thank you! A little more clear for back of the pack bikers, please :)