Although this was not an "A" race I still try to go out and do my best every time, including shooting for a PR - even 1 second better is STILL good as far I'm concerned. :)

The congestion at the beginning wasn't as bad as I thought, but I was really much more focused during this race (i.e., not eyeballing ponytails) than I've been in the past, being more aware of how I felt and trying very hard to not get caught up in rabbiting the first couple of miles or so.

In and of itself, the run was not that remarkable... I hit the 1 mile mark at 8:55 (watch time) and was doing around 9:00/mi pace most of the way. It was a little depressing before Mile 10 when I got passed by older hippie looking guy... wearing FLIP FLOPS. Real flip flops. I am not kidding.

However, I didn't get passed much after the 6 mile mark, and I love (without having tried the marathon distance yet) the half-marathon distance... the farther I go, the better I place in the race standings. I started passing a few people steadily after about 8, and then I didn't get passed except for one person after 11 (and at that point, I was anxious enough to be finished that I really did not care).

I think the course, although supposedly certified, felt long, especially the last 'mile'. We looped back around behind the start line, and since I hadn't pre-scouted the course I really didn't know what to anticipate. I really prefer courses that are simple out and backs vs. these twisty turny suckers.

Took a Gu at mile 6 and at Mile 10. It helped me feel better but Gus certainly don't make you run faster.

I can say that I did feel like I'm in much better shape now than I was in May at Parkway... I'm stronger, I wasn't suffering nearly as much the last three miles as I did at Parkway - even given my slightly slower pace (9:07 vs 9:01) which should not have made much difference. I'm pleased to have gone sub 2:00 in the middle of a marathon training cycle, an 'easy' week sandwiched between two high mileage weeks.

I could've taken Friday off and seen if that would've made my legs fresher... but that's about it.

Walked around, grabbed some Cytomax - which I've never drank before, and I PRONOUNCE IT NASTY TASTING STUFF - but fortunately, I found the beer table and got some Michelob Ultra. That tasted much, much better. Made my phone calls to my folks, my coach, and The Blonde, who was less grumpy (since she'd drank nearly an entire pot of coffee by that point), and who picked me up about an hour later. Never made it to the massage table, though, the waiting list was just too long, and although it was sunny, it was chilly.

So took a shower after being picked up and ate at Cornerstone in Mid-town. Greasy bacon, and eggs, and toast, and hash browns. There were several people in there that had just finished the run... although none quickly enough to have showered and changed like I did ;)


I think its safe to say because I'm training for a longer race.


I had fun at this race and I can honestly say I feel like this was a successful race as 'training' for CIM. I did a good job of maintaining pace and watching my energy stores.

And the bands along the course were good, but the guitarist for the main stage band at the finish loses points as he was wearing a Rolling Stones t-shirt. GACK! I *loathe* the Stone(d)s.