Race started on an uphill, just a preview of things to come. Also, as soon as the starting gun went off the sun came out and there wasn't a clud in the sky, the temp climbed 5 to 10 degrees and I had no hat or sunglasses

First mile was rolling hills, followed by more hills, and then more hills. Pretty tough for a flatlander girl. I was trying to run conservatively, not pushing too hard on the uphills and trying to relax on the flats and roll on the downhills; unfortunately not too many downhills the first 4 miles.

Finally got rolling a bit on mile 4, nice long downhill into downtown; I started getting pretty warm, at each drink station I started taking 2 cups of water, one to drink and one to pour on myself. Everytime I thought the course had a break we'd turn a corner and there'd be another uphill; especially mile 7 and 8 climbing back up to UVA campus. Last mile was back to the rolling hills back to the finish; what a happy sight. :)

not much, I do some hill training on our bridges, but it's hard to simulate that type of course around here

got some food and drink (non alcoholic), walked back to the hotel, I had to shower and get back to my running medicine conference which is why I was up in Charlottesville in the first place


lack of hills where I live and train, but I was happy with how I handled the course; especially in the heat, definitely the toughest course I have raced


This is a great race; gets bigger every year. 2300+ runners this year. Despite the tough course it is a great event, extremely well organized with lots of volunteers and local community support.