My strategy was to run at a 7:30 pace half way, then increase the power for a reverse split on the second half. It was easy to hold my pace (at 7:31!) until we turned toward Avila, but my mile splits slowed with every hill despite the extra effort.

Like always, places like the Bob Jones that I was familiar with seemed fast and easy.

It was a great vibe, with some nifty moments. I got a surprise high five from K-Man Keith at a water station on the way out of town, and got to cheer for a pair who I paced with for the first half who easily beat their 1:45 goal.

The breakfast was super with fruit, baked treats like banana bread, and nummy eggs, bacon and sausage. Coffee! OJ! Lots of various re-hydration options. Eternal Timing was excellent as usual, and had the results up immediately. I felt lucky that the Silverado bus had me back in SLO by 9:30.

In part because it wasn't a hot day, it worked well not slowing for any of the water/gu stations. My prep was a double coffee in the car after a PB and honey for breakfast, and I ate one fig bar for a little extra fuel.

I ran solidly compared to the people I paced with, and tended to do well passing a few up and down hills and making time on corners.

I was in good shape today, treated this like a hard training run, and don't think I'll need to recover for my next regular run.

Oh, and I went with Skechers Ultras today since they rocked in a 5k last year. I was worried since something in my rotation gave me blisters on both big toes this week, but the Ultras were perfect. They could easily have worked for twice the distance.

And finally, training and tapering. I ran 32 miles last week, no runs Fri/Sat, and an easy 50 mile ride yesterday. This was a lot more running miles than the week before my only previous HM, and it felt perfect. It feels like this should fit right into regular training w/o a pause.

Here are the AG results.

A couple of high-fives, then meandering to the breakfast line.


Who knows? I feel good, and had a solid race. My volume has been fine at about 50mpw, so maybe a little more tempo work on top of my 6 mile treadmill runs?


*Very* well organized race. There wasn't a hitch.