Seeing that I've been battling patella tendonitis on my right knee the past couple weeks and not running at all since last Sunday I decided to go conservative and start with the 2:20 group. My HR was already in upper Z3 but my breathing felt upper Z2. This may be due to adrenaline because the weather was cool and overcast with slight drizzle.

HR climbed to Z4 as we started climbing the gentle hills. Kept my breathing deep and slow. Kept my pace as easy as possible and told myself to be patient and watch HR but pay close attention to breathing.

Just past 5K into the race I was was close to the 2:20 pacer and was feeling good. Only experienced minor soreness in right knee so I made a move to catch the 2:15 pacer patiently. At slightly past the 10K mark I caught the 2:15 pacer and chatted with a fellow triathlete. Had a few laughs and at mile 7 (or 8?) I took in some water and ate a Clif Shot Blok and upped my pace to catch the 2:10 pacer.

There were some downhills where I leaned forward at my hips and increased my cadence to compensate as I did not want to apply brakes. Caught and passed the 2:10 pacer at around mile 9.5. My breathing was still good (harder but controlled). I didn't bother paying attention to my HR because it was really high (above Z4). My breathing was heavy but controlled even when ascending the hills. Legs felt strong and at mile 10 I increased pace to threshold effort breathing.

No blister problems until now, ughh... there was one forming at the ball of my left foot towards the right side of it. Not enough to slow my pace. Kept my focus on being patient, good form, good breathing. At mile 12 I felt my breathing go really deep and hard. I was really going for a strong finish and I did it! The 2:05 pacer did not exist, hehehe! The RD/announcer was so nice to call me the 2:05 on the dot finisher. That was awesome to hear at the finish line. :)

Nothing. Hydration and nutrition caused no problems. Alternated between Clif Shot Bloks and Infinit every 10 minutes at 1 hour mark onward.

Walked around and stretched. Drank Endurox R4 and ate banana. Had to poop again. Stretched some more and got a nice 5 minute massage. My masseuse used a rolling pin and went real deep into my calves as requested. Drank a Michelob Ultra and went home.


Patella tendonitis.


This is a really well run race. The band playing despite the drizzling all morning was a nice treat.