I got my butt handed to me last year on this course, so this year, my goals were to: 1. beat last years time 2. feel good at the finish 3. not hurt myself. Upon arriving at the race and seeing that the boy scouts were "pacers" I made a new goal, that was not to let a 12 year old in hiking boots beat me!! I met all of my goals. After the giant freaking hill at mile 6, I decided I was working a little too hard and would walk the uphills, run the downhills. I was WELL ahead of where I was last year, AND felt SOOOOOOPER!!

I chatted with volunteers, other runners, sang along to my songs...you name it!! At mile 8 I checked my time again, and OOOOOOOPPPSS!! I had wasted a little TOO much time!! I knew we were gonna run 7 more, so I wanted to be able to do that without difficulty, BUT, I wanted to beat last year's time too. What's a girl to do? I sprinted up the last big hill, thought my Garmin was gonna reach up and strangle me because I was ignoring the HR alarm. I saw the straight away to the finish line and kept focused on the balloons. My mouth was tingly, like the watery stuff before you puke...but I wasn't taking time to stop! I had a mission, and damnit, nothing was getting in my way!!

I crossed the finish line, found Rick, got a water, got a trixie ass slap that the crowd stopped to witness, lined up for the 5K. Did it again!!

Not lollygag around so much!! I felt fine, and shoulda/coulda/woulda run the rest instead of walking. Oh, well!! There is always next year!!

Ran/walked the 5K and other miscellaneous mileage to/from parking lots looking for the Trixie mobile. OH!! The coolest thing, we went back into the expo to shop and the Kenyans were in the hotel. So, Trixie and I got pictures with them!! They stunk to high heaven, despite a shower, but it was SO freaking cool to stand next to and rub elbows with fast boys!!

While we looking at the results list, some big 'ol guy came up and asked me about the ipod. He had a million questions, wanted to touch it, feel it, etc...I turned around and his friend was behind him, dressed in the finest of redneck wear. He started asking about the garmin, etc...then told his buddy that there were a lot of, and I quote, "techno-weeny-nerds at this race". I turn to Rick for assistance, but what did I get???? I get him laughing his ass off, wanting to take a picture of me being heckled. WTF?? Glad I have friends!!

Off to the Tahoooooooo to beat the TeddyBear Trotters. Then, off to the outlet malls. Had more trixie/ass/slap throughout the mall and high fived a few other Crim runners that were there, just as stinky as us!!


Those freaking hills, and my inability to pace!!


This is an awesome race, despite the hills!! Very well organized, AWESOME volunteers, tons of drink stations, including beer and krispy kreme doughnuts!! Post race food was icky, but it's good times!!