Started running with B and wanted to hang out with her for a while. I was feeling pretty strong, but took it easy and since we didn't get our second potty break. Stopped at .8 for the porta potties no line, but still was a 2 minute stop.

It was crowded, but they really got us off to a good start, separating the waves by a couple minutes, which made for less crowds, more running and no walking.

I started out in the 9-10 minute range and ran with B for a while, she was behind me and I kept seeing her, then one time turned around and I couldn't see her. Went to the side of the road and started running backwards to look for her bright green hat and got some strange looks from other runners, but I didn't see her. Found out later she was having some GI issues. :(

The run up and down and up on the 163 is a pretty drive out of downtown toward Mission Valley. Nice water stops through there and that's where the women leaders of the full marathon passed us. The marathon and 1/2 course were separated and the motorcycle escort was leading a pack of several women and a guy....supposedly, Ryan Hall passed us. Some Kenyans as well. Love to watch them run!

Going down 163 I glanced at my Garmin and was running 7:17....a bit fast, but I felt really good and it was downhill. I wasn't trashing my quads either and I felt pretty light on my feet. I ate a couple of shot bloks here. Once I got off the 163 and onto Friars Road, I was feeling really GREAT! More people were there lining the streets, although most were cheering for the TNT since it's a huge fundraiser for them. There were some cool signs and one Elvis was posing near the band and getting his photo taken.

Each water station seemed to have a theme, which was fun. On one along 163 the Marines were their with leis and most looked Hawaiian. Some very well-groomed a friendly men. There was also a Big Ten sponsored station and I gave a shout-out to the IU t-shirt wearers.

Back to Friars road, felt good, had a good in the 8's pace, I think. I really tried not to allow the watch limit how hard I ran. I just tried to be in a good rhythm and run how I felt. This was supposed to be a build up to 13.1 distance after a full marathon a month earlier, not a race. Of course, feeling good, I didn't want to hold back at all.

There was a giant blow-up guitar guy stretched out across the road and we ran right under his crotch! It was a good visual from a distance and helped give me something to focus on, not necessarily his crotch. :) He was not anatomically correct, FWIW. Funny the things you think of while running.

I ate my gel at mile 10 because I could feel my legs starting to get a bit tired. I wasn't sure how close I was going to be to getting in under 2:00, which I really would have loved, but I did slow down a bit after the Margaritaville station. Saw my friend R, handing out water and she gave me a "looking good." Got some beads from some girls along the route and started to put them on my neck, but realized they were just going to bounce and drive me crazy, so I took them off and carried them. I was trying to maintain my faster pace, but could tell I was getting tired.

At mile 11, I knew I needed to kick it in and saw a girl to my left that looked strong, so I just tried to stay with her, passed her going up a little rise, but then couldn't keep up on the flat, which was around mile 11.5 by then. THe last mile, I did what I could but was pretty tired, I did have a some kick at the last 1/4 mile, especially once seeing the finish and hearing the bands, and having the crowd in the chute cheering. But it wasn't enough to go under 2:00 on that day. Not bad though for a more challenging course and a month out from a full 26.2.



Well, I guess if would have taken off from B sooner and not looked for her, but that was part of the fun, running with her, so I'm glad we did run together for a while.

Walked around, got a cold towel that felt good. Got my medal. Saw a friend who'd run in with her client and chatted, got some water, chatted with another girl from OR who was down to run the 1/2 with some family who I'd chatted with on the course a bit. Had some fruit juice from a pre-packaged fruit cup and more water and got some trail mix for later. Wasn't really hungry, but needed fluids. Sat and stretched, got my stuff from the UPS truck and walked back to the trolley station to get to my car. Oh...got a killer deal on a new shirt and socks and then a free jacket for spending $50...a light bright white wind jacket with the R/R logo that retailed for $75! Such a deal.


My own mind.


After the race and I got to my car, talked to DH on the phone had him help me located S and W. I wanted to find them and come in the last 3 miles with them. Parked and walked the course backwards until I found them at mile 23ish and walked with them just to the chute. S wanted to quit, but kept her going. They were walking at this point, but it was her first (and last apparently) marathon. It feels good to share the love.

This race was EXTREMELY well organized and with 30K plus people pretty amazing! I WILL run this next year and be under 2:00!