My race plan was to average under 7:00 minute miles.
Mile 1 7:10
Mile 2 7:00
Mile 3 6:50
Finish 6:30
I stuck about as close as you can to my strategy, and my breathing never got out of control, was always easy and slow. I was mid-foot striking, also practicing Chi running techniques, and I could feel a difference in my pace. The tarsal region of my feet got quite hot though, and I developed severral more blisters in my Asice racing flats, so they are now just a comfortable knocking around shoe.

Start out faster, continue negative splits, but average about 10 seconds per mile faster--I think I had it in me.

Cup of water over the head, cup down the hatch, rooted on others as they crossed.


Heat and humidity: 85 degrees and about the same (85%) humidity. Slight breeze helped, but cooler weather would have been awesome.


Seems to be a fact that whenever Michelob Ultra is a race sponsor they scrimp on how much beer they bring and they always run out early. This was no exception, glad I got one beer. Post-race food (nachos from Los Cuckos, breakfast tacos from McCormick and Schmick's), band, non-alcoholic beverages, misting and shower stations, all excellent.