I started out way too slow and way too far back in the pack to reach my race goal of less than 50 min's. I really wanted to see 49:59 on the board when I finished. The first 1/2 mile I ran in 5 min's helping my buddies establish a pace they wanted to keep then at that point I took off from them. Hoping to make up some time and did so at the expense of getting pretty thirsty by mile 3. My first lap was definately my slowest but overall I can't be too disappointed for my first race of the season. I think if I would of known where the 5.5 mile marker was I could of kicked it in and still hit my goal time. I heard I guy (volunteer) say to a racer in front of me only 3/4 of a mile to go and held back a little bit. It turned out to be only 1/4 mile left so I must of misheard him. Afterall, I was a bit back from him when he said it and my mind was on keeping my pace going. My splits were: 8:26 7:55 8:19 8:25 8:17 8:10. So where could I of made up 49 secs? Well I walked briefly at the 3 mile water station to get the water in my mouth instead of all over the front of my shirt like the first water station and I walked again briefly at the 5 mile marker water station to get again the water in my mouth. I was deadly thirsty the entire time for some reason. I really thought I was hydrated enough. The time of the walk breaks probably totaled 20 secs total but I am not sure. It is added into my 8:19 & 8:25 splits. Plus had I not had to weave in and around people from starting in the back of the pack and not having basically walked the first 1/2 mile with my buddies I think I would of been somewhere in the neighborhood of 48 min's total. I don't regret setting a pace for them but it sure was disappointing to me to see 50 crossing the line. On a side note they each achieved their goal times of less than 56min's for Joe and less than 1:06 for Mark. Joe came in at 55 and change while Mark was in at 1:04 and change. The hardest part for me was the downtown road part. Miles 4 thru 5.5 was in the sun and away from the rivers so it was hot and I was thirsty. After I got into my rhythem I think I was only passed by 5 people and got 2 of them back on some of the up and down hills. I was able to push up the hills pretty good. I did a pretty good job of pacing myself throughout the race which took some mental effort especially right around the 4-5 mile points. Kept talking to myself to keep my cadence up, I felt like I was slowing down so I would pick up my cadence and when the checkpoint came in I was still running the 8 min pace or close too it. During training I have been averaging 10 min miles using the HR monitor so it was a pleasant surprise to see myself holding in the 8's.

Run my own race next time and just go after it. Plus doing some hill training. Up to this point I have done absolutly none. Do some speed work again I have done absolutely none, only been doing base building for this year and I think speed work along with hill work would significantly improve my times.

Walking and light stretching, walked back out towards 6 mile marker to cheer in Joe and Mark. Ate some cheese squares and water at the food station after the race. Sucked down some Endurox after the race and some gatorade. Light jog back to truck.


No hill training or speed work. Set pace on first 1/2 mile for 10min miles for buddies.


I really like this race and this course and wish I would have continued to run in it each year. I ran the first one and then missed the next 3 being lazy and out of shape. First race 4 years ago was 54.45 so I knocked 4 min's off my PB. Next year they are moving the race to the fall. It has rained every year except this year and they are hoping to avoid that by running in October.