So we get to the island on Friday, and it was dark by the time we got there. So we didnt look too much at the scenery and hills. Next morning we get up and go drive to get coffee and we werent sure the nice Chrysler Town and Country was going to make it up the hill we had to go up to get to the main road. Then we drive down the roads... hill after hill, but sooo pretty and along the water. So we joke about the hills and how great the view will be etc, just kind of laughing it off.

Then came race morning, and as were driving along in the bus to the start, it kind of was reality that the hills were a little bigger than anything we really train on in the metro detroit area. Sooooo, off we go at start. First almost mile, downhill, fun! And then it was on.. hills and hills and turn the corner at the top of a hill expecting a downhill, nope, more hill. I knew that I had a goal of PR'ing with a 2:05, and I was really questioning if I should go for it at this point with the knee issues, and the hills that we are clearly not used to. But I figured it was going to hurt either way, so I just kept going. The elevation change overall was not bad, but just rolling hills all the way. It was cool though to see so many people running up these longgggg hills. Around us in races, I end up passing alot of people because were not used to hills, but out there, they are just used to it, so not many people actually walked up the hills.

Anyways.. I did PR with a 2:07, my previous best was a 2:08, and I was bummed about not getting 2:05, but with those hilss, I was almost just happy to finish. My average heartrate ended up 172, so thats pretty high for a longer race. And I paid dearly. I can almost walk down stairs properly today

Find some more freakin hills to train on

drank lots of water tried to keep moving.


lack of hills comparable to those


THe race was awsum, beautiful and well ran. And I got to meet Dean Karnazes, hes a cutie and one big muscle :)