Sub 2 what else can I say?!?!?!? I was totally amazed at this, I had really wanted to go sub 2 but I didn't really think I could do it because my last long run I averaged 9:37 and I knew that wouldn't put me under 2 hours, so I was going to be happy with 2-2:10. Forced myself to start out a little slower, around 9:45-9:30 and then started speeding up to around 9 minute miles around mile 3.

The first hill in the residential area was a little tough, I've lost a lot of the hill fitness I gained when I was doing trail runs but I managed ok. Basically I just ran at a pace which was comfortable, which after about mile 5 was 8:30-8:45. Back on PCH was ok, I broke my usual rule and wore my ipod for this race, I wanted to be able to run hard and sometimes the right song really helps. Didn't stop at any of the aid stations on the way out but had my water bottle with me.

Finally on the way back in I started to realize that sub 2 was possible, but it was starting to get a bit harder. I stopped at the aid stations at 8 1/2 and 9 1/2 miles I think. The first one I grabbed the gummy sharks and water and the second just water. I walked through those (my only walk breaks the whole time, usually I'm a run/walker so this was different too) because I can't drink from a cup and run at the same time. Felt a little better after those two and I got to mile 10 at around 1:28 on my garmin. I knew at that point that I could definitely do 3.1 miles in 30 minutes so I allowed myself to slow it down to around 9-9:15 pace, although sometimes I'd catch myself faster. Definitely a little hard the last couple miles but at that point I was so close I couldn't let up. When I saw the 26 mile marker for the marathoners and realized it was 1:55 with .2 miles to go I knew I was in the clear. Sprinted in the last 50 feet or so and crossed with a big smile on my face :).

Nothing, I think I had just about reached my aerobic limits by the end so I don't think I could have pushed it much harder without side splits or chest pain. I'm really happy with my results. Maybe didn't drink as much as I should have but I was a little paranoid about stopping at a bunch of stops and missing the 2 hour mark by like 30 seconds or something.

walked like a mile to get to the frickin' food tent, stopped and grabbed as much free crap on the way as I could. Stretched a little after I grabbed the food, then made my way to the beer garden to kill some time until Dolores and her dad came in. Waited in line to get in, then in line to get my free crappy beer, sat for a bit and drank it then waited outside looking for them for a bit.


generally aerobic fitness I guess, my legs always feel fine, but my lungs don't always agree.