I was a little lost on this run... I didn't know what to expect in the cold, so I was overdressed even without adding the t-shirt at the last minute. And being slightly scattered, I made a mistake that could have been disastrous. I forgot my IT-Band. I was probably a quarter mile into the run when I realized it was still in the van. Doh! My knee had not been bothering me since earlier this summer when I got the band, had started doing some strengthening exercises and stretching... so I just kept running. I had zero problems with it. *whew*

I started close behind the 11:00 pace setter. I started easy. I wanted to finish and didn't want to burn out early. Still when I came to the first mile marker they were calling out times and I was at 11:30-ish. I got to the second mile marker, I was at 23:00... But at mile 3, they called out 35:05... but I had walked through the water station right before it... or I probably would have made it... BUT THIS WAS MY BEST THREE MILES... All of my 5k's had been over 37:00. THey never called out the time at mile four...but I am sure I lost some time there. My energy dipped there. I felt sluggish. From the four mile marker, I had to go back over Clemente Bridge. This bridge is not flat. It rises to the middle and then goes back down. I walked the last ten seconds of the rise, and started to run again. My tank was feeling empty.

Getting back off the bridge, I knew I was close. When I made the turn onto the Blvd of the Allies, I could hear the announcer at the finish line. He was calling out times and letting us who were at the top of the rise know what pace was coming up... which was great, because I heard that 60 minutes was coming up. I picked up my pace significantly. I could feel my heart pounding. I felt like I was going to puke, and I just kept running. I crossed the line... and got some water.

I had never run this distance before, and was shooting to finish under an hour, which I did. I had hoped that I might break an 11:30 pace... which I did not.


I think I should have had some gatorade with me on the run... or a gel. RIght near the end, I felt like I was empty, so I probably could have some energy before that.

I probably should have worn less too. I don't know why I was so worried about the cold. I have played entire soccer games in the snow wearing only shorts and a long-sleeved jersey. BAH! I also noticed that I had some...umm.. chafing issues. When I got home and hit the shower, I was greatly disturbed to find raw nipples, and an abraded... perineum. The funny thing is, I didn't notice the issues until soap and water hit those areas. Sting!

I grabbed some water and walked around. Then going to the awards, I walked back up the five flights of stairs... slowly. *ugh*


I am still working to increase my base. Speed is still an issue on everything. But I will point to the above as part of my issues.


Very cool race. I enjoyed it. Fairly flat but interesting. Beautiful day. Good organization... and they raffled off two brand new treadmills at the end. The entry fee alone was worth the chance of winning one of those... :)