As this was a training run, I was targeting to run it somewhere around 8:15-8:20/mile pace. I was also expecting warmer weather but it was actually not bad with it being 70F and drizzling/overcast during the race. It proved a bit tough for me to slow it down so much but just tried to enjoy the course, looked around, and kept my mind busy just people-watching. Noticed interesting running gait/form, some worn-out shorts that probably need to get replaced (it was wearing out in the rear and I'm not sure the wearers knew it), etc.

I ran the race by heart-rate, similar to how I do a long-run and kept it in the low 140's for the first 8 miles. I was probably averaging closer to 8:20 at that point. I then picked up the pace closer to my target half-ironman race and went to 8:00/mile pace. At the last half-mile, I went to a 7:00/mile tempo pace and just couldn't resist outsprinting someone trying to pip me at the line. Had some slight groin soreness after the race as that last 50m was an all-out sprint (Garmin had a 4:40 pace for last 1/8th of a mile). Fortunately, it was gone the next day.

Not do an all-out sprint at the end as that was way too risky. Probably good to just get to interval 400m/800m pace which is around 6:00/mile but nothing faster. I wished it was warmer because I wanted to see how my body would react to the heat and what pace/heart rate it would look like.

Just jogged to parking garage to get my recovery shake then had to go home as I had to work.


It was a training run so it accomplished it's purpose.


Good 'larger' race but not in the same level as Dallas Marathon or Rock'n'Roll (or even Hot Chocolate) runs but much bigger than a local race. Nice medals and good post-race food/entertainment.