Set out in the right group pace, and generally ran about a 9 minute mile for the first 15 miles of the race. After a quick porta break, the pace began to slow to roughly 9.5 minute mile for the next 4-5 miles, then 10 to 10.5 minutes per mile to the finish.

Ran with Curly Anderson and Corey Weller, then Corey dropped back around mile 9 or so (some point after running up 20th Street). Curly and I were on pace together doing well, when he suddenly dropped back at mile 18 approaching Holmes Lake. After that I was alone (except for Lisa and kids and friends seen along the way).

I never really hit the wall or anything. About mile 20 or 21 leaving the Holmes Lake park I recall coming down the back side of the damn on Normal Blvd. with a beautiful breeze in my face and feeling quite refreshed and good. All the way downtown to near Lincoln High School I felt fine. It was only around Hamilton College that the hill there sort of felt tough, but I never walked and never seriously considered it, it wasn' that bad.

Throughout I took in lots of sugar (gels, orange slices, licorice the kids gave me out the window of the car) and water - never missed a water except perhaps the first one or two.

4:12:05 was the averqage time. So I was right at average - just a few seconds ahead. Ha.

Lisa and kids whipped around from place to place on the course, giving me quench gum, licorice, and a gel packet. Very nice and fun.

Not much, except maybe stay on the 9 minute pace (or less) until I ran out of steam.

Grace and Ryan wanted to run me in, but I didn't think she could when I saw Grace first, then Ryan a hundred feet later said all the kids were doing it so he ran me in the last hundred feet or so. Next time I'd have both my kids run me in!

Oh yeah, I would have lost some weight and that would have made a difference.

Walked a few hundred feet and got water, yogurt, and other food. I wanted some more solid food in my gut on the run, so the oranges were great on the run, and afterwards I just chowed a bit.

It was a long walk back to the pickup, and I was pretty slow relying on Ryan every step.

At home I showered, put my feet up and ate for about 4 hours, then took Ryan to his last flag football game. Took the next day (Monday) off with mom who is recovering from being in the hospital, so we took care of each other, but I planted some hostas and mulched north of the garage for her so I wasn't too bad. Tuesday I still took the elevator to the second floor at work.


I ran within myself. Last year on the half I started too slowly, and maybe this year I could have kept pace longer faster. But overall, I felt great. Another year and I would be a bit faster.

I made every long run in my training regimine, but the mileage was maybe on the low side as I regularly missed mid week run, and Bridget's plan is not a high mileage one to begin with.


Wonderful race, beautiful weather, and a picture perfect day!