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Comments: Started off in the 9:00/mi grouping, went with the crowd, but the first two miles were both over 10 mins. I wasn't concerned because my main goal here was to finish the race - this was my first run over 10 miles, and that was 2 1/2 months ago. Skipped the first two water stations, but then took water at 3 miles, then water and powerade at each of the stops after that. I need more practice on drinking and running - after not getting much on my first stop, walked a few steps whenever I took a drink at the other stops. I expected to end up walking some of the race, but happily, the only walking I did was while I was taking a drink. Running with so many other people around definitely helped keep me going. The best part of the race was between 5 and 6 miles. There was a water stop, then a gradual downhill, drums from a marching band at 5 1/2 miles, the mayor was there who I waved to and he waved back to me, and a number of photographers. So I was pretty psyched at that point. Then around 6 1/2 miles, I was still feeling good, and I was happy because I knew at that point I would have no trouble finishing the race. My goal was to finish in two hours, but around this time I realized I wouldn't do that, so I then was aiming for my 2nd goal of finishing before the first marathoner! LOL! Did that with 15 minutes to spare. (That turned out to be a great race with the first two sprinting for the win, and only 3 seconds betwen them). Took a gel just before 9 miles when I saw a water station coming up just to make sure I would keep going. I was starting to get concerned with my mental state here because there were some pace booties to follow, but I said to myself that I was too tired to care! :0 Started to drizzle at 11 miles, so that was well-timed! Then the last mile and a bit was back downtown, and it seemed like it took forever. Finally rounded the 2nd to last turn with a 1/10 downhill and gave it all I had with a sprint, rounded the bend, back up hill and saw the finish and was very happy! :) What would you do differently?: Train. My last long run was way back in February at 10 miles. Got sick in March, then lost a ton of motivation, so that whole month was virtually a wash. I would also start a little further up next time. It was okay this time since my goal was to finish. Since I did that and didn't really walk (except to drink), I can't complain about my slower starting pace.  Post race
Warm down: Walked around and ate. It was getting chilly with the rain, so I went inside and stretched to warm up. Took a shower when I got home, some ibuprofen, and hot tub in the evening, so I'm feeling pretty good with just tired hips. What limited your ability to perform faster: Poor training. Event comments: Very good race with a marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay going on. Somewhere around 10,000 starters, and they started on one of the wider streets around, so the start wasn't bad at all. Couple of drum sections from marching bands, which was awesome! Lots of volunteers at all the water stops, so that was obviously great as well. Last updated: 2008-12-31 12:00 AM
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United States
55F / 13C
Precipitation
Overall Rank = 1681/4107
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 121/212
Woke up at 5:00, quietly gathered my stuff. But the dogs woke up, so I took them out for a while! Ate cereal, water and coffee in the car at 5:30. Got downtown and parked around 6:00.
My plan was to rest in the car for a while, but had an urgent need for the facilities, so that wrecked that plan. So walked around for a while, and had an apple at 6:45, then a gel at 7:15 (15 mins before start).
Just stretched about 10-15 mins before the start. The race was crowded (10,000 starters), so I figured the first couple miles would be my warm up.