The plan for the race was to start out low Z3 for the first 5 miles and then build to a mid high Z3/low Z4 effort. I started out the first 2 miles pretty easy. I wanted to set myself up for a good back half where the hills and the heat started coming into play. Another goal for this race was to stay strong mentally which is something I have troubles with.

The first few miles went by quick. Nothing much really going on. I tried to control my HR on the uphills and extend my stride on the downhills to get some time back. At about mile 5 I began upping the effort level a little, but still trying to keep everything in check on the hills. I went through some great cheering sections which were a good boost. Mentally I was in a good place and my legs were feeling good.

Mile 7 came along that begins a nice long steady downhill to the park. I started to push the pace here a little bit getting my best mile splits (8:15 and 8:03). After getting past the park (HM didn't go through the park this year b/c of construction) we made a right turn on 10th. 10th street sucks. It's a long steady uphill followed by some short steep ones. At this point my legs were feeling pretty good, and barring a complete and total meltdown, I had a PR so I decided to push a little more. I must have passed a few hundred people on 10th.

Mile 12 was my low point. My legs and feet were starting to hurt. Aerobically I felt great, muscles not so much. This mile had a pretty good uphill section, I didn't think I was going as slow as I was. It was my worst split of the day (9:21). I recovered well as was able to run a a good last mile even though I was suffering pretty good.

I was kicking pretty good at the finish line seeing I could get under 1:55. In the last 100 yards a guy cut in front of me and pretty much stopped to get his picture. I almost went down. That slowed my down enough for 1:55:03. Oh well.

In the end, it was good enough for a 13.1 PR by almost 17 minutes. It's hard to be upset about that.

More running. Aerobically I felt great but my legs just couldn't go faster. I think I can run faster.