Despite my efforts to empty my bladder, I did have to pee by mile 6. Held it until about mile 9 where portapotties were. I knew they were coming so sped up my pace to get ahead of my pace group. Worked like a charm: as I extied the portapotty, there was my group running by.

Kept with the group until about mile 14. At that point, fatigue was setting in and I was worried I would not keep up with them. I got kind of mad. That worked because somehow I was a little ahead of them, then a little more, then a little more, then I just left them behind. The last 3 miles were the worst. I felt totally exhausted at the finish but hit my goal of a BQ on my first race, yahoo!

Try to hydrate less before the race. I can never hold it.

Also, train slower so I could complete by 22 and 24 mile training runs which I did not do because I was always keeping my pace just a little bit faster than I should

This race is a little crowded for me. I prefer to go into the zone and this is all about bands at ever corner, lots of hooting and hollering. Great for some athletes but not my style. I would only do this as a "fun" race again, probably the half.