I had a really good run today. I started out nice and easy on the long downhill. I didn't push it too much here because I was warned that this was a really tough course. The first uphill was long and gradual and started spitting people out.

Mile 6 felt like it came pretty quickly, but it was right about at my training pace. The 6-mile marker is in the middle of a long uphill on a "turnout" This might have been a mile-long section just creeping uphill. At the turnaround, I found out why it was so easy - we had a tailwind - which was pretty chilling on the downhill. I picked up my pace a little around here. I picked up a pacing buddy on the way up and another one on the way down. Just a couple of people going just a hair faster than me that I used to pull my along.

At Mile 8 I picked up the pace a little. I felt good and I figured at about 1/2 mile from the end I would just go for it. I kept pushing and pushing and finished pretty strong, but I was TIRED. This was a good race and a good effort.

Start out a little faster and push a little harder and hydrate a little better

Wandered around, grabbed some food and went home


I held back a little too much. A little more sleep in the week leading up to the race would have helped