I felt pretty good about this one. I started on a sour note, as my Garmin's battery was inexplicably dead in the a.m. But, that turned out to be a blessing of sorts. I came in a bit under-trained, and just looking for some confidence in advance of the California HIM, and I wasn't sure how I'd do. I started the race in wave 5, with the 2:10 pace guy a ways in front of me. I decided to just get past that guy and hold on as best as my fitness would allow. I did that pretty quick and then spent miles 2-3 chasing the 2:05 guy that I never found (I wonder if there was one). Doing that got me moderately tired at that stage, and I worried that I'd die down the stretch.

At about mile 3, I decided to entertain myself, sans Garmin, with "count the people I pass" game. +1 for each pass; -1 for each time passed; can't count people hurt or at a potty. Doing this took an unusual amount of mental energy. There were a lot of people to keep track of, and I spent 50% of my attention watching my peripheral vision to count. But, I've got to think that this game kept me working. I took a lot of satisfaction in getting bigger numbers. Probably gutting a couple spots out better than otherwise for fear I'd lose some numbers.

At about mile 10 or so, the downhill began. If I'd known it wouldn't have stopped, I would have pushed it more. I picked up some time there, but probably left a minute or so on the course holding back for a flat spot that never really came.

The finish was cool (epic, they kept telling me in the ads), with the finish line just short of home plate on the third base side of Petco. Crossed the line at a good sprint, with my number at +255. Good race.

Maybe pushed more during the last couple miles. Otherwise, pretty happy with everything.

Milled around, got a banana, and went home.


Early season lack of training.


Good race, good course, well run. Would do again.