Started out a little fast, and had to reign myself in. I knew I was really undertrained, and this was going to be a long run. About mile 2, a lone trumpeteer was out playing for us.

I felt pretty strong as I got moving, and was good through mile 5, although the need to hit the portajohn started in early on. About mile 5.5, I decided to stop, as there was a short (4 person) line at the 2 portapotties. Mistake. For some reason, these people were taking forever, and this turned into a 4 minute (at least) stop.

Got moving again, and felt infintely better. Was crusing along until we got to the medical complex. A good friend of ours lost his battle with Leukemia at the UC Health Sciences Center, and had been in the hospital for quite a long time. Running past, I was a blubbering mess.

Then it was time to "pick up the pace." Coach wanted me to run the last 10k fast. Was in decent shape through the first 5k. Then my legs turned to lead. The next 2.5 miles were just at a snail's pace.

As I got closer to the finish, I was able to pick up some speed. I started picking people off--I was not going to let that lady with the fried-out, frizzy hair beat me. I was not going to let the guy in the jean shorts beat me.

As I passed the Mile 13 sign, I turned it up a bit more. But I'm pretty sure that sign was a little further than .1 from the finish, and my final kick hurt. Nearly puked 100 yards out from the line.

Train.

Collected my food and goodies, talked to my old boss, who had run with her daughters, then went to cheer in everyone else. Got to see Dills finish up a stellar performance!

Mom was looking strong as she came through, and she grabbed me to run it in with her. She broke 4:00 for the first time since she broke both her wrists over a year ago! And at altitude no less! We found a spot in the shade to stretch, then headed out for some eggs benedict to celebrate.


Lack of training.

My performance was not horrible considering my longest run since I broke my arm March 1 was 1:20. Official pace is 6 seconds per mile slower than my pace was for the 10 mile race I ran a week before my accident--not bad.



This race is not as organized as it could be. There was no information on the website to indicate how frequently aid stations would be positioned on the half-mary course, and nothing to tell us what drinks/gels (if any) would be available. Hunted down a volunteer at packet pickup to get this information. On race morning they announced aid stations would be every 2 miles. But the first aid station was at mile 1.5, and from then on, they were all "around" 2 miles apart. Could have used an extra portajohn at each aid station (although there never seem to be enough).

There was plenty of food available at the finish, even for my mom, who is often left with little or nothing by the time she crosses the line. The police support was wonderful! Lots of cops along the course--one guy even blared the stereo on his squad car so we could have some music.

Overall, I would do this race again.