The race started pretty good... I was run/walking 10 minute miles to the second, which I thought was pretty cool. After about 5 of those, however, the idiot part of my brain was like "hey, I'm bored. I bet we could get a negative split out of this!". So, the sprint. I knocked out some 8 minute miles and then, all the sudden ... black. I hobbled over to the side, puking, which was slightly upsetting, especially when I looked down at my HR: 252. Not, not good. This prob. happened for three specific reasons: 1) Um, I have a heart condition and 2) I've never run more than 7 miles, so my heart was not conditioned for it, and 3) Run/walk, while 'boring', is the doctor approved way of keeping the HR under 200, and not only did I abandon it, I pushed the pace beyond comfort zone. So, yeah, this one was my bad. Luckily, this all happened near a water station, so I was able to rehydrate somewhat so I could push through to the end.

Well... it kinda sucked, to be honest. My whole body, around mile 9, just went into that whole "Would.Like.To.Stop.Moving.Forward.Now" mode, and everything just kinda hurt. My idiot part of my brain (having now taken over full control) was saying "Well...yeah, but one more mile... just push it" So, I tried. Stopping running to walk lead to some major head rushes and vision bubbles, so I was kinda thinking that moving forward quickly would be the best option. Also, some asshole spectator called out: "You'll finish quicker if you run". Ok, now that was kind of dick, but he had an excellent point. So, I tried to push the last mile.

But the mile never ended!!! No, really, it didn't! It was only after I finished that I heard the news: course re-route mid race had added another 1.4 miles onto the race course. Bitches! This is what happens when you leave it to Army boys to count.


Um, not be a complete and total idiot. Accept my limitations and understand that if I haven't conditioned my heart for a distance, I don't get to 'race' it, I get to try to 'finish' it, and be happy with that. Reign in my pride a little bit.

Well, the fake finish was really , really far away from the water. So I spent some time wandering around trying to find some.

I also spent a little bit of time in the medical tent dealing with blood pressure and heart issues, then met up with some good friends who came out to make sure I didn't die. A little post race jog with Gilwab, puppy extraordinaire, was also involved. Puppy therepy makes everything better, I think.


Heart, poor training.


Could have lived without the re-route, but whatever....