My focus was not to go out too fast. I went out a little fast on the uphill first 1/10th of a mile, where I was at 5:40 pace. So I blew that, but not as badly as I usually do. My pacing was pretty good the rest of the way.

Go out a little more slowly.

Ran the course backward at 8:29 m/m. Got a little lost, because they had taken down the signs in the first mile, which had lots of turns.


The course was wet, with gradual uphills and steep downhills. Normally I would like it that way, but with the wet road and leaves and road paint, it was hard to go fast on some of the downhills without fear of slipping. I never did slip, but I didn't attack them like I normally would.


They got way more runners than they expected. This was to be a low-key race--it was only $12 for race day registration, and they didn't even close the streets. We were told to run on the sidewalks where we could.