Started fast. If you saw the course you'd perhaps understand...it's a fast start and really fun. 7:10 first mile, but feeling good. HR already in the 160s. It's funny how 160s out alone feels like crap, but I felt really good and under control early on. 2-miles at 14:40 and I knew I was going too fast. 3-miles at 22:xx which is practically a PR 5K for me.

I concentrated on dialing it down a bit here and lots of people passed me from 3-6. HR didn't really come down but I was feeling fine through these sections. Joel's comments about it being a long race (which we all know, but I seem to get carried away) resonated with me here, and I tried to work my breathing and stay comfortable.

At the turnaround (around 7.1) the wind became evident immediately. For a while I was able to be distracted by seeing all the racers behind me and looking for my friends. That was fun. I was sorta in my own little area at this point, kinda alone, so it helped to see everyone. PeterAK and firstnet911 were together and looking fantastic, and seeing them gave me a nice pick-me-up. Thanks guys!!!

Coming in I had a minor crisis around 10 so I took a gu.(second of the race, plus the beginning one). That pushed me through and around 11 I saw I was at 1:24. I needed 2 7:30s to hit my goal of 1:40. Tried to fashion a push, but it just wasn't there. About a mile later I really hit the wall and had to walk for a short period. HR at 191, the highest number I've ever seen. Quickly came down and I was able to finish 'er up. Totally missed maggyruth's donkey sign, but saw it afterwards, and she's the greatest for doing that.

Hire Joel (TH3_FRB) earlier. Having his coaching was an immense help to my running strength. I PR'd with this (1:44) and beat last year (1:47). Doesn't seem like much, and at first I was disappointed. I've since realized that working hard for a year, and the final 10-weeks with Joel, is not enough time. I think endurance sports build on each year, and this was just another big building block for me. The gains are gonna start to get smaller, and I've just gotta keep working hard. Gotta quit comparing to others at this point as my ability is obviously MOP, and just keep working. 3-more years and I'm in the low 1:30s at this pace of improvement. That's how I plan to focus.

And, as I stated, I don't think I gave Joel enough time, and had some minor bumps in the plan near the end, in critical weeks. Those of you looking to improve or just learn about your hobby, I'd highly recommend hiring a coach, and certainly TH3_FRB. He was awesome at flexing a plan into my schedule, and also just teaching me about running.

Basked in the afterglow, drank some, talked some more. Cheered in the BTers. Limped around. My friend Bruce finished his first 1/2 at my urging, and was super happy. I was thrilled for him. He's ready for more, and I plan to keep finding stuff for us to do.

I gave this race everything my body had in it, especially at the end, so no complaints from me.

As an aside, it was fun to watch peterAK and firstnet911 complete phase I of their journey to IM WI '07. Great job guys.


Time to train and genetics. Needed more caffeine pills (right joel?). ;)
I'm happy with how I paced. Probably too fast early, but I'm not sure it would've impacted anything later on had I started slower.


Good race. Good organization, facilities, etc. Nice tech t-shirt for the race price. Perhaps more water stations on the 1/2 would help.