Country Music 1/2 Marathon - Run

I started off right behind the pace group I wanted to finish with. The first mile was awesome and I felt really good with the pace group. When we got to the 1.6 water stop, I moved to the left (less crowded) area and got some water. Ran up music row hill and looked around for pacer, I was ahead of him. I thought I would stay ahead and run a comfortable pace for a while and not push it but see if I could stay ahead of pace. When we got to the next water stop I made a stupid mistake... I grabbed a blue cup and took a sip, I didnt realize it was power aid... I threw it down and went to the next station which had water in brown cups and washed it down. I still felt good and was ahead of pacer. Mile 3, 4 flew by on mile 5 passed the leader of the half, he was all alone way ahead (he broke a record finished in 1:04 for the half!!!!) rounded mile 5 and felt really good. Now somewhere around mile 5 and the climb to mile 6 mile stomach started to rumble really bad.... I thought uh oh this is not a good sign. I went to the bath room really well last night so I thought I would be fine for the whole run. Past mile 6 off the pace a little, the hill race big and I was starting to feel the effects of my pace. I also noticed my stomach really starting to tighten on me, I could tell I really needed a porta potty. Mile 7 really began the struggle for me, my stomach was in nots and I know I had to be running funny. I didnt see any porta johns and I was really starting to get concerened. I slowed my pace thinking I could always make it up. Finanlly at mile 8 somewhere in the middle I found a porta john (hince the 11:27 lap), it felt like I was in there for ever...lol Came out and went right back at it to make up my now lost 4 minutes, I knew it would be a hard trip. Lap 9 was great...
By the 10 mile marker my legs were really starting to tire and I could feel the pain in my knees and quads start to worsen. I tried to pick up the pace but my legs just were not going to let me. Mile 11 and 12 were real struggles and I even took a few walking breaks which I never do I was bummed about missing my goal time but still felt good about the run so I begain to high five the little kids and mascots and just have fun with the run.
Mile 13 I was ready to be over with and actually had a deacent lap. I was at this point under the gun to finish in under 2 hours and was unsure that this would happen. The last .01 I took off the head phones and just soaked in the crowed cheering for everyone to finish... I was glad it was over.

Pay attention to what drink is in what cup and some how fine a way to go to the bathroom the morning before the one. Makes two times I have had the problem in the last two races...

got my pic, medal and some munches. Stood around and waited for the BTers to finish.


uh my 4 min porta potty break...lol


My only gripe about the run is. The officals really need to keep the people with bikes off the damn course!!! I was reaching for a water at mile 8 and almost got ran over by some guy on a tri bike. I told him to get the hell off the course.. I mean he was riding between the runners and the people handing out the water. How stupid...