My plan was to run 8-8:15min/miles and finish around 1hr 45min. After reviewing the course profile the night before, I decided to change the plan and run a little faster during the first 7 miles because I knew the hills would slow me down. When I got to the start area, I saw the timing mats and decided to get as close as possible so I wouldn't have to bob and weave as much. Ended up about three people back from the first timing mat. I also decided to run the first mile a little fast so that not many people would have to bob and weave around me. This worked out great!

Shortly after mile 3 the rain came down, hard! Glad I wore my visor to keep most of it out of my eyes. As expected, Cardiac Hill after the 7 mile mark slowed me down but not as much as I thought it would as I was still under my originally planned pace. Cardiac Hill behind me, and with a 8:14 at mile 8 (my slowest mile), I started to feel some pain in my left IT band (and for the rest of the race) but was still a happy camper! I felt like I could have pushed a little harder, but with this being my second half and not knowing the course that well, I held back a little to save for the finish. Around mile 11, the idea of a big juicy cheeseburger popped in my head and I thought about that a little too long. I looked at my watch and knew I was going to beat my goal so I started to do some more mental calculations and thought about breaking 1hr 40min. I picked up the pace but was surprised by a short climb, still managed a 7:45min/mile. I felt real good, so I picked up the pace some more and was very surprised by the 6:35min/mile as I passed the 13 marker but also realized I wasn't going to be under 1hr 40min. Still sprinted to the finish and couldn't believe I had clocked in at 1hr 40min 36sec! That was 26min 22sec faster than my first half at the Georgia ING in March!

Blew my planned 1hr 45min run out of the water! Wouldn't have done anything differently but this was a fun race, despite the rain, wind, and chill so will continue to work on my run for next year.

Disappointed with post race food, so went back to the car, changed in to dry clothes and ate a cliff bar. After getting back to the southside, went to the only place serving cheeseburgers at 10am on Thanksgiving Day.....Waffle House! It was a good at the time, and fortunately didn't cause any GI issues later. Went home, cleaned up and drove 2.5hrs to the real meal.


Nothing. I have been working hard on my run and I went with a plan to set a new PR and KILL this race! And did I!


Volunteers were awesome! Really appreciated them being out there in the rain and thanked as many as I could along the way.