3rd year running this race....previous times were 2008-1:55:25 and 2010-1:54:31. Looking to improve on these times, but am realistic because I haven't done a lot of hill training and this has lots of hills. Weather was just about perfect...70, a little humidity but not bad, and cloudy. Last year it was down right hot so I felt pretty good.
Got there pretty early...6:20 to get bib, shirt, and a bathroom break. Decided to take a water belt this year with 3 water and 1 gatorade...all frozen. Good choice as I used the water to douse my head to keep me cool. Also took 1 gel which I planned to take about mile 5. Nobody seemed in a hurry to get to the starting line..we just stood around till 5 minutes to go.
Started close to the front..it was a chip time though it wasn't when you crossed the start line...just when the race started. It was also on the bib....never had one of those before and it worried me a little.
First 2 miles were uneventful and I felt pretty good...splits were 8:00 and 7:53. Mile 3 started the climb....and I mean climb. Time slowed to 8:15 for mile 3 and 9:09 for mile 4. I was ready for these hills so it didn't bother me. But at the start of mile 5, a huge steep climb that I didn't expect...time was 8:21 because the second half became the downhill. On the downhill I grabbed a Gel from a water station and sucked it down...after a few burbs, I felt great heading into mile 6. Mile 6 was 8:01 and mile 7 was 8:09. I began to get tired on mile 8 and it began a rolling hills...8:27 for mile 8. I gradually began to feel the effects of the hills...mile 9 was 8:29, mile 10 was 8:31, mile 11 was 9:04. It felt a lot slower though...and I was passed by a lot of runner who were less fit than me....needed more longer distance training. Mile12 and 13 were 9:18 and 8:46 respectively. Overall I began to feel better on the last mile, but really had nothing left. Was happy to finish this race....legs were beat.
Stayed after for some food and watched the awards ceremony....the older guys amaze me....I hope I can do this when I get to be that age. Finished 11th in my age group out of 21 runner....mid pack. Great race, well supported, good food....all for a good price. I will be back next year.
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