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Comments: The first few miles went pretty well. I was actually looking around to find someone that is running at a pace that I'd be able to follow - but since I could not spot anybody - I went on my own. The first 3-4 miles were a downhill run - and this explains my splits at this part of the race. I thought to myself, that taking advantage of these downhills would help on the uphills towards the end of the race. Then came the flat part of the race - miles 3 to mile 9. This was actually much harder than I thought. I did ok till around mile 7. I never stopped to walk but slowed down when my HRM showed 95% of my max HR. The breakdown came at around mile 7. I felt that my lungs are burning and that my legs are becoming heavier and slower. I had no control over it no matter how hard I tried to push. I also noticed that even while slowing down my HRM readings showed 93% of my max HR - not good... At this point I felt that I must walk. I walked as fast as I could, and shortly after, my HR went down to 89% again so I could start running again. This went on and off till the end of the race. Mile 9 was a point in which the uphills started to get into the equation. I walked a lot during this part of the race. My goal was to finish the race as I knew that my goal of breaking 2:00:00 will not happen in this race. My strategy was to finish and finish as healthy as I can. I noticed the Mile 12 sign in the middle of the final uphill part going into Balboa park. There was crowd cheering up which made me somehow feel better. Around me I saw more and more people slowing down and walking. Many had just stopped and took a breath, then someone was screaming his lungs out - his quads cramped pretty badly. He was walking and screaming - unwilling to get help from anyone. Then, I heard someone in the crowd yelling that there is only 1/2 miles left to go. I decided to let it all out and started running like crazy. I passed quite a few runners and this somehow made me feel stronger. I kept at it till the finish line. I picked my medal and drank a tons of water. I felt hot. I was sweating as hell. What would you do differently?: Better control my pace during downhills - I think that I ran too fast and consumed too much energy. Consider taking Electrolytes during the run too.  Post race
Warm down: I walked for about 1/2 an hour where all the vendor tents were. I drank a lot. I felt really hot and exhausted. I did not want to sit down as I was concerned that my hamstrings will cramp on me. What limited your ability to perform faster: I did not feel well. I had fever when I returned home - so possibly during the run too. Running nose and sore throat did not help either. I do not think that I was able to breath as I usually do and this elevated my HR to above average. Event comments: I would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to all volunteers who came out there, and did an outstanding job supporting this race. It is clear to me that without you guys, this race could not have been conducted as well as it did! Thank you!! Last updated: 2008-07-16 12:00 AM
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United States
Neil Finn Sports Management, Inc.
Sunny
Overall Rank = 3470/
Age Group = 35-39
Age Group Rank = 348/
I woke up at 4:00am. Everything was prepared from the night before to minimize preparation time in the morning. After spending most of the previous day in bed with fever, sore throat and congested nose, I was not sure how will race day turn out to be - but I adopted a new plan - which was to go out there, do whatever I can while checking the HRM all the time.
I ate a Nutela chocolate-spread sandwich, took my medications, double checked that I had all my running gear, took 2 Electrolyte pills and headed out at 4:20am.
The drive to Balboa Park did not take too long, although at 4:50am there was a pretty long line of cars waiting to get into the parking lot. I parked the car in the public parking lot and headed (among many others) towards the shuttles that took us to the start line in Point Loma.
The bus ride was in the dark, the AC was on and I started to feel cold - something that almost never happens to me. I knew that this is not a good sign and took 2 Advil gel pills.
Arrived to the starting line area. There were hundreds of people already there while more and more buses came by and dropped off more and more people. Watching this huge crowd was a pretty amazing sight.
I took about half an hour to stretch. I also walked around the parking lot and tried to spot someone I know - but could never find him.