SET A PR! My goal was to just go out and use this as a training run so I wasn't expecting much. I really didn't taper and I didn't go out too fast - just kept it in Zone 2 for the first 10 miles. Then, I felt so strong, decided to crank it up to Zone 3. Felt great the whole race - pace, nutrition, HR, all really good.

I'm really shocked to set a PR! I really feel all the work for triathlon has really prepared me well. I never ran this fast even when I was just into running years! However, I didn't train this hard when I was just running.

Other than staying in Z2, my other race strategy was to take advantage of my "strengths". So on downhills, I let my weight and long legs cary me down at a quick pace. I was able to pass a LOT of people doing that and stay in Z2. On some of the short climbs, I would really cruise up them and pass a lot more people that slowed down or even walked (there were some pretty steep hills). I knew I was going to spike the HR, but I knew I could recover on the backside or flats.

I can't say enough about how triathlon training has helped with HR, pace and nutrition. By not getting swept up with the crowd, and going out too fast, sticking to my pace and HR, helped me really finish strong. I LOVE triathlon and what it has done for me - or more specifically, what I have done for myself, using triathlon as my motivation, tool, and ispiration.

Next time, if I don't have a triathlon planned, I will taper more for this event and really see what I can do!

Light run and walk. Ate some fruit and a couple cookies. Lots of water.


Nothing.


Great race. Beautiful course. Well run. Will repeat for sure!