This was going to be an interesting race for me. Two weeks earlier I had run PF Chang's full marathon, and was unsure how I would fare on this race, as it was so close in time. Trying a new strategy, I got a pace band customized for the course elevation, and targeted 3:40 as my finish time. This had me start slower than I usually start races, but then again I usually start way too fast, so maybe this is a good thing. I moved along fine, and kept very close to the pace chart until mile 15. At mile 15 I stopped at the porta potty and had to wait a couple minutes for it to free up, then when I was done I could not seem to get back to speed. I struggled to keep my pace the rest of the race, and obviously with my mile times I slowed considerably later on. The good news is I only walked about 200-250 yards throughout, with most of those at the aid stations.

I have tried to go faster earlier on, and that did not work, so I am not sure what else I would do except try to push through the later miles to keep my pace closer to goal.

Not much cool down. I grabbed some waters, a banana and some oreos and headed to the car and went home. This is a small race, and there was nothing really to stay for.


Good question!! I have no idea!! I am in great shape and should be able to improve my performance, but for some reason I am stuck in the 3:50 time range. Is it mental? I doubt it as I really thought I had this one nailed up until mile 15.


This is a small race, so no big events going on before or afterward. It is ataffed correctly and with good support for its size.