This was a tough one for me. I was doing great, keeping a sub-2:10 pace and a PR, but I bonked around mile nine. I had chafing and blister issues, which is weird because I was only wearing things that I knew worked for me. I guess I just got tired around mile 9, and started walking too much. I lost about 5 minutes between miles 9 and 13. I was really tired and stressed due to work this week, and I think it took its toll. But...this was my second fastest 1/2 marathon ever (7 total completed). And I'm feeling really good about my running this season. I was only 40 seconds off my PR, and I *know* I have a 2:10 half mary in me and hope to get there this season.

I really enjoy finishing a race strong and not leaving any gas in the tank, so I put everything I had into a final sprint, which actually felt pretty good. Hopefully I will get a good race photo of me giving it a good kick!

Be better rested. Do more than 10 mile training runs.

Overall, this was a well-run race. They did well with labeling a course where the marathon and half marathon split and met up three times (I think). This is Fargo, so all of the volunteers were friendly and happy. The finish in the Fargodome is fun - gotta love a jumbotron finish. But...the indoor finish led to some space issues with getting bags and food, because everyone got stuck in the finishing chute.

There was a huge logjam at the bag retrieval area. You basically had to pick up your bag right away after finishing or risk even bigger crowds as the marathoners piled in. I was stuck in line for over 20 minutes before getting any nutrition. Thankfully they had water right there, so I could hydrate. Everybody was being a good sport, though, which was nice.