I really had a positive outlook on this race and felt that I was ready to BQ. I made sure I had a plan and understood I had to be patient. I started out real well watching the gps and making sure not to go below 8.20 pace. I had wanted to start with the first 3 miles being around 8.40 so I kept having to slow myself when I looked at the watch, ever min or min and half. Then when the downhills came I tried to use them to my advantage, taking the free speed. I carried a gu flask and a water flask so I could do nutrition when I needed it not when course dictated. Gu about every 4-4.5 miles. got to the out and back and felt great. Watched as I went down hill for over a mile, knowing that I had to come back up. Got to see the leaders, the 3rd place male was HOT!!!! At the turn around headed back into town and up hill, first major one. Backed off and stayed at a very comfortable pace. Last 200 ft were the steepest but there was a good crowd there. Back down some hills, through town and out to the next loop. About mile 9 I latched on to a group of men (3-5) that seemed to be running my pace. There was one guy who seem to be pacing them. It was great to run with them and know that I did not need to look at the watch as much. At around mile 13 the leader was yelling at them to hold 8.30s until the big hill so I hung with them until the hill. Then I dropped off the pace to climb the hill as did the one of the men. The leader ran back to collect the others. At the top of the hill he goes flying by me and then waits at the 16mile marker for the rest. I pass him and think I will soon see him again, well not so lucky, I never saw them again. :(

The next couple mile wound through a neighborhood, which was my least favorite part of the course (seemed like they were doing this to add mileage). This is when I started to really feel the heat and hit a rough spot mentally. Mile 18-19 I had to really talk my self through. I hit mile 21 at 3:01.50 (behind 58 secs off of the absolute slowest pace). I tried to stay positive, remembering that sound I would be on the bike path to the finish that was supposedly down hill. Well I got there and it was not as shaded, did not have views of the lake and did not feel downhill. Around mile 23 I noticed I had goose bumps, not good since I was really hot. So loaded up on fluids at each stop and trugged on. I thought I would be closer to the 3:45.59 but not my day. I had not real aches or pains and the legs felt heavy. I wish I could have found that something to dig deeper and pull it out.

I thought of all the motivational comments all my friends and family have made. even put a spin on the "do it for the children" making it "do it for the child" - Bennett (my 11month nephew was at the finish line waiting for me to pick him up from the nanny and take him to watch his mommy and daddy finish their marathon). But it just wasn't my course. I really need to find a true flat fast course if I am going to qualify.

this was a pr of 7mins so I am pleased with that.

not sure, I think I was a little conservative at the beginning and felt really good. Hard to decipher splits on gps as it was reading each mile short so I have multiple splits per mile (watch autos plit and the split I hit at mile markers). I am looking at other gps possibilities for the near future.

The heat took me by surprised. Plus the sunburn that came with it.

Overall I need consistent training, more long runs (16-24)and to really work on running through the tough spots (maybe this mean more B and C races to get to were I need to be for A races)

walked through the food line for some oranges, banana and an icecream (I put this down my top to cool off). ran back to the car (yes I did say ran) to grab dry clothes. Then called nanny and met her to get Ben. Ben and I ran/walked through crowd to finish and actually just got to see Nate finish. Waited only about 5mins and got to have Ben watch his mom and dad run down the chute. Then came K and Brad. joined family and friends to chat and eat some ice cream.


heat, training...


This was a nice race. Pros: beautiful course in a great location. Lots of fluids on the course. Course is a green race course, marked with sand. Big mile markers and clocks at every other one.
Cons: temps vary drastically year to year. Limited porto-potties on course (not that I need one, but a lot of others did), the hills, no pace groups