I am really really happy with this run. It has definately given me confidence that my HIM goal is realistic and attainable. That said...

Lined up with the 3:15 pacer and we were off. Ran with her for about the first mile and a half but she had to make a pit stop, so I was on my own. Not a problem as I had the 3:00 pacer in my sights and was probably only a minute back from him. I figured as long as I could see that sign, I was on the right track.

The first bridge (and therefore the first hill) happens right away on this course. After only a mile you're climbing, and it was suprisingly easy given my limited hill training. Got to see the sun rise at the top of the bridge and it was beautiful. It was a little daunting to look to the right and see a tiny bridge in the distance and know that was the next bridge I would be crossing around mile 8.

Took in water at first aid station (1.5) and kept a steady pace. Heart rate was low and I was thanking volunteers and police every chance I got.

Made the turn after the bridge and put on the sunglasses. At the second aid station (3) took in water again and decided I was feeling pretty darn good so I caught up to the 3 hour pace group and made friends.

Third aid station (4.5) took in water and a swallow of gatorade. Also dumped a cup on my head.

Fourth aid station (6) did the same thing. Stomach was doing great, and so were my legs. My heart rate was still very low, and I was extremely comfortable at our pace.

We hit the second bridge at around 7.5, and thank god for pacer guy because there is no way I would have made it up that baby with out walking without him. My heart rate got a bit too high on the climb and I was feeling thirsty on the way down. This was probably the only point the entire run that I was uncomfortable. I slowed my run to get the HR back down and the pacer went ahead, but I was never more than a minute back from that little bouncing sign.

Next aid station (around mile 8) took two cups of water and a cup of gatorade. I didn't stop running so some of it missed my mouth, not sure how much exactly but man that was yummy.

Started fantasizing about beer by about mile 9. Did water and gatorade at every aid station moving forward and pretended the gatorade was beer. That helped.

Legs started hurting badly at around mile 10, which I knew they would considering my limited training. Heart rate was still good and aerobicly could have kept going at that pace for miles longer.

Last bridge was around mile 11, and this was the only time the whole race where I walked. My calves and hamstrings were having none of that whole running up the hill thing. It was short but steep,so luckily over quickly.

Last aid station was at mile 12 and I knew I was in the home stretch. Kept and easy pace and focused on motivating everyone around me that I could right on down the chute.

Smiled pretty for the camera. :)

Obviously, I'm not thrilled about those :47 seconds. I mean seriously, I could have probably given it a little more juice out there somewhere and come in under 3 hours... but considering my goal was 3:15 I'm not unhappy at all.

Walked around the expo, drank two bottles of water and some OJ. Was hungry but tummy was saying "no unless you want to pewp your pants" so I waited for food.


Nothing. Honestly, this was a far better run than I expected and gave me loads of confidence for my upcoming half. My heart rate the entire time was low low low, easy breathing, easy run overall. The legs were dead by the end, but that was a leg strength issue, not a cardiovascular endurance issue, and I still have time to fit in a few long runs before the race to help build that strength.

Overall, I was really proud of me. If you check my logs you will see that a 13-14 minute mile pace is about average for me during training, so to be able to fall within that for a half mary made me a happy girl.


The race itself was EXTREMELY well run. The volunteers were amzing, great expo, great swag, great post race activities. DJ's at every aid station and lots of them on the course. You never felt alone out there.

The shuttle situation left a lot to be desiered, and I imagine the race organizers will either work closely with that company, or another, next year to improve that.

Overall I highly reccomend this race to anyone in the area looking for a great women's half. Just do your hill training, those bridges (espeically the last one around mile 11) are no joke.