I didn't run any appreciable mileage for the 3 1/2 weeks prior to the Valley-to-the-Sea race. I knew going in that it would be difficult and, despite my irrational hopes, that I would probably not make my PR goal of a sub-2 hour 1/2. I tried to tell myself that I had enough run fitness to make it work.

I started off fast (for me) but you can see why - steep descent at the beginning. I figured if I kept up a good pace at the start it would see me through at the finish.Mile 5 was a long, gradual uphill, which really dropped my speed and where my attitude started to go bad. Miles 6-9 were downhill again and when I really started talking to myself and giving myself a pep talk, and you can see it in my average pace, which was back on track.

At Mile 10, where the ground leveled off once again, the wheels started to come off. I was done. I'd had my last gel at about Mile 8 and thought it would carry me through, but I really started to lose it. At one point I just wanted to sit on the curb and cry like a baby. I don't know what got into me?! Yolanda and Sherri passed me at this point and I told them I was fading. They were encouraging and that kept me going for awhile. I really tried to HTFU. My legs were starting to cramp, but I kept up a slow jog until the end.

My quads hated me for three solid days. I. Seriously. Could. Not. Walk.

My new Brooks PureFlow shoes, however, were AWESOME! I still had a couple of blisters, but they were minor. I will have to tape my feet in a couple of places, I think, to eliminate them, but my feet were not sore and neither were my calves.

I didn't wear my Nathan water carrier this race. The course was mostly downhill/flat. I wanted to run it fast (see previous PR goal) and didn't want the extra weight. I decided that water at the aid stations and 3 gels would be enough. But I'm used to carrying my own HEED and having it whenever I want. I was thirsty and the aid stations were too far apart (not really, but that's how I felt).

Walk and stretch, cool dip in the ocean.


Not enough training miles prior to the race. Not carrying my own hydration, which I'm used to in training.


The race was very well organized and the volunteers were awesome. It's a great route!