Given the circumstances, I had set my run/walk intervals at 1:30/2:30. Enough walking to deal with the fact that I've been out of the saddle for a while and enough running to keep me from being my usual idiot self and pushing too hard and blowing up. Plan your race, race your plan.

1st mile went very well. Stuck to the intervals with no problems, felt great when we hit the mile marker and listened to the voice in my head screaming "RACE YOUR PLAN!" as I went into mile 2.

Mile 2 went just as well, but I could feel myself getting heated up. The temps were coming up, the humidity didn't seem to be going down and there was no breeze. The water station isn't until just before the end of the second mile - a little too late for me. Not because I was thirsty - but because I was just too hot. Two cups, two sips and the rest went over my head and down my shirt. Un-sexiest wet t-shirt contest ever. Between this and the snot rockets, if there isn't a rash of Missed Connections for #483, I am giving up on men in this town once and for all.

3rd mile was where the wheels came off. Overheated AND the sun came out! When the run intervals came around, just concentrated on short strides and quick turnover and thanked the heavens for the walk intervals. Really wished more people had put out sprinklers. Took my time going through the two that were on in that last mile. :)

Finally hit the turn to go to the finish. Love that turn. Nice and flat and then downhill. Somehow managed to pick up the pace in the last run interval - I think it's easier when you know you can just fall over at the end. :)

Not bashed my foot or been sick so I could have gotten some training in over the past 2 weeks. If I could have made the humidity lower, I would have done that, too.

My usual at this race - get bottle of water and dump ice down my shirt.


Coming off being sick, the humidity, and oh, yes, the fact that I am utterly out of shape.