I started out running with a woman I had met that morning and we kept together until I had to stop at the PP. It was quick, but I never did catch up with her. The first five miles were really easy and I enjoyed the scenery (ocean and breakers) and just focused on keeping my pace. At the 6 mile mark I saw I was still on pace for an under 2:00 finish, so I really kept my eye on my pace and tried to use my arms to glide up the hills and momentum to float down. I hit under 8 per mile downhill. Ate my performance gels and hammer at miles 3, 6 and 10 to make sure my legs could continue to turnover.

At one point in the run around mile 8, my vision kind of condensed itself and I felt like I was in my own little area just running along -- maybe a zone? My mind didn't like that it wasn't in charge though so when my Garmin decided to do weird things my mind and fingers began trying to tap the bezel and change the screen back to training mode. This slowed me down and I finally decided I'd just have to go on feel as to how hard to run. I drank a bit of water or Ultima at all but 2 stations. Drank on the run, never walked once. My right ITB started hurting -- told myself, "It's just pain." that doesn't mean you have to stop. Then a few aches and pains began in various leg and hip areas -- again, stopping, not an option. I wasn't Injured, my muscles, tendons whatever were just letting me know they were working hard. I appreciate them. :) At the 10 mile mark, I thought this is just a 5K now. I can run a 5K. Go, go. And I managed to pass some people and felt my legs turnover a bit faster. I didn't have any sprint left in me at the end, but I sure did have a decent pace. My knee hurt yesterday, especially going down the stairs, but ice and some aspirin sure helped. It was a good run but since the Garmin didn't work I didn't know my time. The clock at the finish wasn't right since we started in wave 3 and it was a few minutes after the first two waves. I was hopeful for under 2:00 but wasn't sure. Last year was my first 1/2 marathon and I ran it in 2:28 or something like that, so taking nearly 30 minutes off in a year is pretty good, me thinks. I know the learning curve will level out eventually, but for now I'm enjoying the signs of progress and knowing that I've worked hard for the results.

Forget the damn watch and just run when it konked out.

Walked around, stretched a bit, but went into the expo tent because I got really cold. Ate some samples of cliff bar and drank a bottle of water. The food bag they gave us was kind of lame - mostly junk food and an overripe banana.


Messing with my watch and my knee pain.


These organizers have it down. Excellent water stations and volunteers. The bands at about each mile were fun sometimes, except for the laid back blues guys (I love the blues, but not during a marathon or 1/2). Really good expo and great support. This is my second year doing this race and the 4th 1/2 mary. It is the most supported by volunteers and best organized although America's Finest City takes a close second.

I didn't get my official time until Todd (thanks again) found it online and I was pretty happy to know I'm now a sub 2:00 1/2 marathoner. Next goal will be to run it faster, of course. :)