This run was tough. I knew very quickly in that the hills--even the slow hills--were ultimately going to do me in. About 5 minutes in, I knew that beating my 5K was not going to happen. This is not a course to do a PB on. Saw mile marker one right before the monster hill. Looked at my watch: 10:56 for the first mile--slower than any of the miles in my 10K. And that was BEFORE the big hill. Ugh.

Didn't maintain any run/walk rhythym. Ran for the first 8 minutes, and then it was random running and walking. Ran up the monster hill (figured it would be a good training effort if nothing else). After that I tried to always run the downhills.

Not take an entire month off running :) Seriously, other than being better hydrated, I don't know if there is much else I could have done, other than having been in better overall shape. The park where this run is held contains basically the only hills for miles around. Hill repeats would have been good, but my running is not anywhere near mature enough for that yet.

Walked around, got water, pasta salad etc. Stretched a tiny bit. Scoped out a spot to watch D finish his 10-miler.


I feel that I completely lost alot of my base by not running in March. That, and serious lack of hill training.


Well done race. The after-race food was tasty, although I don't think they had enough. Someone said there were alot more racers this year-that may have been the reason. There was plenty to drink, which is really more important. Lots of volunteers. Overall a good race. I will likely do this one again. It's a good season opener to measure how effective your winter training has been.