I didn't push real hard because I was saving my best for the tri next week. At no time was I feeling like I was going hard at all. Pretty much RPE 6-7 the whole way. I ended up running an 8:08 pace which makes me feel much better after the Keuka Lake debacle.

My right hip was bothering me beforehand but was fine on the course. What surprised me was the cramp in my left quad at mile 8 that lasted the rest of the race. Very painful at times.

About 20 feet from the finish line a kid (early 20's?) who was about 5 feet in front of me just stopped and squatted with his head between his knees. I had to instantly decide to try to go around or leapfrog over him. I went around and almost fell in the process. He may have had really poor judgement, or he may have become very ill very suddenly, I don't know. I did see EMS people heading in his direction.

Nothing. This was a fun race for me, not a goal race.

Long-ish walk to the post race party. Got swag, beverages, food.


lack of distance training, cramp in left quad, crowded field


This is the largest 15K in the world and a total blast. Running it is like being in a parade. Neighborhoods compete for the title of most supportive. There are bands all along the route, tons of people cheering you on, 13(!) water stations with ice, people with hoses out, DJ's, a guy on stilts, clowns etc... Lots of fun, incredibly well organized. The elite field here is world class, Olympic medalists race here. The Top 10 are almost always Kenyans.