I knew going in that the wind would be brutal at the end, so the plan was to bank some time early so the finish wind didn't decimate my time. I went out pretty hard the first 4 miles before settling somewhat into my pace. The first few miles were the usual chaos, but not as bad as usual thanks to the corrals. Saw several familiar faces along the way - Steve yelled at me from a bridge about 3 miles in, saw David around mile 4, and John was on his bike around mile 5. Saw Tommy running towards the turnaround just after I had passed it. Also saw my college buddies from earlier in the morning.

I took water every other aid station because it was frakking warm. My shirt was drenched with sweat after only 4 miles. Did gels at 3.5, 7.5, and 9.5. I think that was a mistake. Immediately after the last gel, I got a side stitch that would not quit until the finish. 2 gels probably would have been enough. Overthinking things I guess.

The last 5K just flat out sucked. Dead into the wind, side stitch, and newly-formed blisters made it not much fun. Mentally draining. Did some math and figured I would come in just under 1:34 with 7:30 miles, which was about all I could manage. Banking the time early had worked. I was dead now, but I had time to spare.

I stopped and walked for the only time at the last aid station for a full glass of water and to thank the volunteers, then I jogged in the rest of the way. Maybe I was just sand bagging my PR so I can break it at Cowtown.

1 less gel, a little less water, and Body Glide those feet.

Walked through the line for a medal, a surprising finisher's tech shirt (last year I think it was visors), and a few pictures. Then I walked into the AAC for a massage. No wait. That rocked. The people who volunteer to rub down sweaty athletes are amazing.

Afterwards I found the free beer. Grabbed one for me and one for my friend (ahem) and slugged them down. Mmm...free Amber Bock. That took the pain away nicely.

Shoes and socks off, walked the wrong way barefoot around the AAC to the bag drop pickup. Again, no wait. Putting on clean, dry socks and a dry finisher's shirt was nice. Saw my friends from Master's Cathy and Julie right after they had finished, then watched Shannon, Marcy, and Sean come in. Everyone rocked.


Wind, overthinking nutrition, wind, Body Glide-less feet, and wind.


The conditions were better last year, but I really liked the new course. If not for the wind, it would have been a smoking fast course.

I loved the race last year, but this year was even better. Finisher's shirts are way better than the finisher's visors they gave out last year, and we even got "WR training" tech shirts at packet pickup. I'm all about the swag.