I didn't run since Disney 2 weeks ago due to recovery and then getting sick so my goals were pretty aggressive (miles between 7-7:30, break 100 minutes, negative splits after mile 8). Everything is geared towards Ironman 70.3 in July so in many aspects these runs are each experiments to test nutrition, strategy, or performance. I started out strong but got side-stiches around mile 3.5. Knew this was from lack of fluids and think it might be related to the NyQuil stuff I took since I don't normally get this. Decided to "walk through" the aid stations to make sure that I got enough hydration with hopes of making up the time. Of course first aid station was right before the Harlem hill! was able to recover but never was the same after that. Walked through the other aid stations and looks like I spent 7 minutes doing that....but I needed to. Got back pain again which I got at Disney..also something not used to getting...on the train ride home I decided it might be due to the HRM strap being to tight...since the pain started to go away after I took it off...could it be that all the weigh lifting is paying off and its time to adjust the strap? Have to try a run without the strap and then again with it loosen a bit to determine if this is the cause/solution. Needless to say the back discomfort was a PAIN! Also felt as if I wasn't running with shoes...bottom of feet hurt...thinking this is due to cold and also not running recently...plus maybe the NY ground is still frozen and thus harder? maybe? could be? In the end I just wanted the run to be over.

Make sure I'm hydrated more prior to the race.

Spent a good deal of time walking down, lungs BURNED (cough throat thing) tried not to cough or breath really hard.


Cough/throat thing I got


I knew I was going to go to this race regardless of the cough/throat thing. It's part of the 9+1 needed to get a spot in the 2011 NYC marathon (which is on the list). I also knew that the race would count as long as I started. I most likely should not have run at all and get some medicine but...I also wanted to see how I would react to pain/discomfort/mental issues because I know the IronMan 70.3 in July will HURT HURT HURT. This race worked out well in the schedule. Soon after Disney so two HM in 2 weeks is something special. It's enough time to recover and prepare for Shamrock and also lots of time before July, in case something really bad happened. As I get closer to Shamrock I'll need to start taking less chances as that is the 16-week mark before IM 70.3. This was a race I did understanding the risks but it was well worth the knowledge about myself that I gained.