I was shooting to run 46:30 for the first 5, 46:00 for the second 5 and 27:30 for the last 3.1, which would have put me at 2:00 even, my goal for the race. I went out in 45:57 and then started dying on the rolling hills of the city and the neighborhoods heading back to the finish. I knew by mile 8, that I would not make my goal, so I started trying to not lose too much pace going in. But I was whooped (see below). I ended up having to take many short walk breaks, and my running pace just couldn't be maintained. I gave it my all, but my all just wasn't good enough for my goals.
My time was actually a minute slower than at MB this past February, but the course was much hillier here. I did notice that I stayed with many of the same people throughout the entire race, and I know some of them had similar goals as mine.
It is amazing that one second, you feel great running at a 9:00 pace, and the next, you struggle to hold a 9:45 pace. Maybe that is why I enjoy this torturous endeavor so much. I do know that my mind is much faster than my body.

I think that I had unrealistic expectations for this race. I just started working on speed in my running, and because I could hold 9 minute mile pace for 5 miles on an indoor flat track, I thought I could hold that for 13.1.
Because of this, I went out only a little faster than planned, but probably way too fast for my true ability. If I would have shot for a 2:03-1:05 time, I would have gone out significantly slower (0:30 per mile for the first 5 miles) and I probably would have had enough in the tank to meet that goal.

Walked around and got some food and water. Looked around for others I might know. Hung out and watched the Marathon winner finish.


My right knee (tendons in the back of my knee) has bothered me since Duke Half in September. Also, I just really started speed work a few weeks ago.


The event was pretty well organized, considering it was a first year event. The drink stations were too far apart early and too close late in the race. The second half of the course was surprisingly hilly. the mile markers were spot on.