Lap Time Distance Pace/Speed AHR MHR
1 07m 29s 1.00 miles 07m 29s /mile 156 162
2 07m 29s 1.00 miles 07m 29s /mile 157 162
3 07m 32s 1.00 miles 07m 32s /mile 154 159
4 07m 54s 1.00 miles 07m 54s /mile 154 158
5 07m 51s 1.00 miles 07m 51s /mile 155 159
6 07m 58s 1.00 miles 07m 58s /mile 155 163
7 07m 46s 1.00 miles 07m 46s /mile 159 166
8 07m 33s 1.00 miles 07m 33s /mile 159 167
9 07m 29s 1.00 miles 07m 29s /mile 154 161
10 08m 01s 1.00 miles 08m 01s /mile 158 166
11 08m 00s 1.00 miles 08m /mile 156 164
12 07m 38s 1.00 miles 07m 38s /mile 161 166
13 07m 38s 1.00 miles 07m 38s /mile 159 167
14 01m 05s 0.16 miles 06m 37s /mile 165 168

The first couple miles are net downhill, then there's a hill about mile 5, a bigger one at mile 7, then a nice downhill section before the non-stop climb that starts about mile 9.5. From there on, you're pretty much climbing until the finish. Not much in the way of flat bits to recover either.

I hit the aid stations at mile 5 and mile 10, taking a gel at each with a cup of water. I think I grabbed water at the 7.5 mile aid too. Ran through the first and last aid stations without slowing.

My earlier plan of not having so much coffee in the morning paid off. I did not have to stop and pee during the race. So I was happy about that. :)

I really surprised myself out there. I went in thinking I would be happy with a sub-1:50 time. I had 1:45 as my "stretch" goal. I wasn't tracking my time ( just looking at avg. lap paces and instant HR ) until mile 9, when they called off 1:09. I then realized I was going to blow 1:45 out of the water provided I held about 8:00 pace for the last 4 miles. I did the math and realized I *might* even have a shot at busting under the 1:40 mark. Since I ran my ass off for a 1:38 last year, cruising to around a 1:40 this year, with my training being what it was, felt great. I pushed it a bit on the hills, but kept things in check a bit. Didn't start to kick until shortly after mile 12 mark. Was able to comfortably make myself uncomfortable at that point, and kicked it in to the finish feeling pretty darn good.

Perhaps the lack of pressure contributed, along with an absolutely perfect running weather day. And maybe I'm not as badly out of shape as I thought. Maybe. :)

Not blow up my cankle the proceeding fall/winter so that I'm in better run shape at this point. My longest run since the cankle was a 13.5 mile run 1 week before the race ( on the course ). It'd be nice to have a bit more distance under my belt.

Walked around a bit. Saw David Clough finish. Saw Kelly come across. Met up with some other people I knew that really kicked it up a notch out there. Saw schmize and Holly.

Scared people with my mustache. ;)

Went and got my gear bag from the bag check, changed into crocs (ahhhhhhh!) and then we went out to cheer in Whizzzzzz.

After she came in and we gathered up all our gear and changed clothes, Kelly jumped some random guys in the parking lot (she did! ask her!) and we went out for waffles and french toast at burnt toast.

Oh yeah, and I left my old Oakleys on top of the car as we drove off. Kelly watched in horror as they flew of and then shattered on the ground. I made them last 5+ years, so I'm not too distraught. Kind of a bummer, but they were getting worn out and starting to break down. And now I have an excuse to get another pair. Yay!


Me. I executed a great race for my current level of fitness. I paced well, fueled well, hydrated well. Nothing external I can point to as a limiter.

I exceeded my expectations by a long shot with this race.

I could have made myself hurt more, but didn't want to burn all of my matches on a "C" race for me. Plenty of more important races this season to do that.


As always, an extremely organized event. 20+ years, they've got it down to a science.

Plenty of aid, support, and the post-race warm pretzels were just the thing. Mmmmmmmmmm........ :)