Runners started at 9am with walkers starting 15 min later. I'm glad they split us up because there were about twice as many walkers as runners and since this was an out and back on a pathway, there wasn't a lot of room. I started out closer to the front than the back and for most of the race it seemed to be about the right place for me. I didn't get passed too much - just the occasionally kid who would sprint ahead and then stop to walk. The first 2 miles went well and I was on pace to hit my goal time of sub-30. The third mile is where things fell apart. I strained my left calf at some point during this last week and the speedwork that I did on Thursday aggravated it. I took Friday off and by Saturday morning it felt a lot better so I didn't think too much about it - until that 3rd mile when it decided to let me know that it hadn't gone away. I actually had to stop for a minute with about 1/2 mile to go. At that point my goal time was out the window and I just wanted to make it to the finish line. I finally crossed the line, got some water and headed home.

Not strain my calf the week before the race?

No warm-down, just the walk back to my car to try to get dry and warm.


Just the injury - everything else seemed to be working for me. My breathing was good and my pace was good for the first 2 miles.


This was a great race for a great cause but I think it was a little bigger than they expected. Parking was an issue if you got there late and if they get more runners in the next couple of years, they may have to re-think the course. It's a nice flat course but as an out and back it has limits as to how many people will be able to run.