I had 2 buddies with the same goal as me(1:59.59), so I started with them. They were doing a run/walk though, so our starting pace was kinda hard for me, until their first walk. I hadn't trained run/walk, so I jogged during their walks and we yo-yo'd like this for about 6 miles. Along the Seawall we had some pretty mean headwinds. Normally running in wind is not a big deal to me but I could really feel the effort and found myself trying to draft anyone and everyone along the way. One buddy dropped off for a porta, so I tried to stay w/the other but his run pace was just beyond what I could maintain. I lost sight of him at about 8 miles. Then the other one caught me and I stayed with her for about a half-mile but I didn't have it in me to keep her pace. I didn't slow down as much in Miles 8-10 as I did last year, but still fell off pace. From Mile 10 on I pushed pretty hard. The last mile was very strong, but I didn't have enough left to really kick.

Just run more. I reached my highest weekly and monthly run mileage ever training for this race, but that's just 25 for a week and 101 for the month. Still need more miles. I also need to work on maintaining overall health during heavy training as I was fighting a sinus infection the whole week before the race. Lastly, I'm going to resume training w/the HRM and try Maffetone, a run/walk or both, to see if I can have more in the tank during the middle miles.

Found my buddies, checked on a couple other friends. Got water, taco, Muscle Milk, walked around a little. It was drizzling again and I started getting cold, so I headed to the parking garage. Took a wrong turn and wound up walking a few extra blocks. Was shivering when I got to truck, but at least I got in a good walk. Turned on the heater and drove home.


Lack of run fitness, overall health.


I think the weather hindered some of the support efforts. Not as much nutrition at aid stations as last year. No beer at the finish?!? Still a very good race, and one I will do again if schedule permits.