Splits from Garmin:

1- 10:08
2- 9:56
3- 9:52
4- 10:09
5- 10:01
6- 9:54
7- 10:01
8- 10:19
9- 10:11
10- 10:17
11- 10:48
12- 10:23
13- 10:32

34- 3:22 (9:55/mi pace)

Started further back than I wanted (they should've spread out the pacers more), but that was probably just as well. Felt really good for the first few miles - no GI issues, beautiful morning, legs were ok. Didn't push - kept reminding myself the purpose was just to finish to complete 15. Around mile 4, my legs started to feel tired and a little sore. Not unexpected, though I was hoping that wouldn't come til much later. Kept running strong but allowed myself to back off the pace a little when needed. By mile 7 (ate a package of Luna Moons) my legs were really starting to hurt. This is when the trail section of the courses began, and there were quite a few good hills that really challenged my tired legs. Also at this point we had been running directly into the blazing sun for a couple miles (and would continue to do so until just before mile 10), so it was becoming a challenge to stay cool and hydrated. Took water and/or Gatorade at each aid station but probably could've had a bit more water. Legs were seriously toast by mile 11, which was no surprise since from that point on I was running further than I ever have (since I did the 1.8 before the race started). Just kept moving in a forward motion. Wanted to kick it in in the last mile but just didn't have it left.

Nothing, really. This was just a way to get my 15-mile training run in today and I did that. It was good mental training - I know in the marathon the most important thing will be the desire to keep moving when everything hurts. If I weren't coming off 3 straight build weeks with this run capping off my highest volume week to date, and if the weather had been cooler (or at least overcast!), probably would've been able to go faster. But "fast" really wasn't the point of this run anyway. The overall average pace is still in line with what I'd like to maintain in the marathon.

Walked around a bit, stretched some, then walked around some more, which almost immediately helped loosen the legs a little. Ate a banana and some other fruit, drank a bottle of water, then walked the .3/mile back to the car.


See above.


Very good race - I'd do it again. TONS of portajohns along the course - though thankfully this week I didn't need one! :-) Great organization and experience for an inaugural event. Nice course, though would've been nicer to do the hilly and hot Sand Creek trail section first and then the flatter loop through the neighborhood.