Unlike last year (when I got caught up in the excitement and came out of the Starting Line doing 8:30 or 9's) I decided to go realllllly, really slow (12 or 13 minute miles) to start. By Mile 3 and 4 I was warmed up good and keeping my pace under 10 minutes/mile. I was relatively pain-free up until about Mile 5 or 6 (just past the Art Musuem and Boat House Row) when my Achilles started to get tight. At that point on I moved from the asphalt onto the grass and dirt. It literally saved my day by doing that. I can't believe more people don't do it. By changing surfaces I was able to continue at a 10 min/mile pace until Mile 8. Mile 8 was when I stopped and walked so I could swallow some gel(s), drink some Cytomax and stretch for about 2 or 3 minutes. I think that helped a lot because I was able to push myself pretty good and not take any walk breaks. My turnover and cadence was decent until I hit a wall around Mile 12. That is where I started to die and my pace may have been the slowest of the entire race. Still though - I never stopped after Mile 8 and my finish was decent.

lose weight and train more.

grab some food, get my beer and find a spot to lay out, stretch and do use my runner's stick on my legs.


I love running downtown, along the Parkway and then along the river drives (MLK/West River & Kelly Drive). Not to mention it was practically a picture perfect day with respect to the weather.