even though last year i broke 10 min miles at this very race - i wasn't trying for any PR at this event. i was running under entirely different conditions (like 14 degrees different) and i had jennbunn1e w/me, remember her? and i haven't been training like i was last year at this time. plus my whole "wake up with a cold on race day" pattern held true, so at least i'm consistent with that
positives to draw from this race:
*i took no walk breaks - even on the hills. which proves to me that training on the mountain trails is making me stronger on hills (maybe not faster, but stronger)
*my overall pace was sub 11 min/miles, which is good for my first race of the year
*i wasn't ready to drop dead at the end - thought i could go at least another 2 miles - which is important to note since i'm trying to triple (and then some) this distance at the 1/2 marathon in april
*i had no pain in any part of my body at any time during the race - and for someone who struggles with knee pain all the time, this is huge. i'm attributing it again to the trail running, which is kinder (and at the same time tougher) on my knees than running hills in my 'hood on pavement

figure out a better meeting place to hook up with a very cool BTer who just had a birthday and i really wanted to give a birthday greeting in person to.
other than that, nada, zip, zilch

walked to remove timing chip.
met up with nelson and fi and we walked to the utopia diner on broadway (?) for a bite to eat.
nelson made sure to let us know that the first runner to cross the finish line was wearing a giants jersey - and took it as a good omen.


i'm not in my twenties - but maybe i will be in my next race :)


great way to kick off super bowl sunday (if you're into that sort of thing) and hey, who doesn't want to work out before a pig out session which every super bowl party is?