First 3 miles were great... felt like I was being carried along by all the runners around me, knew I was keeping a good pace, but it didn't feel TOO fast. Checked my HR now and then, it was in a good range for racing, and my legs were feeling like I could maintain my pace for the full distance. Took in a gel right before I went to my Corral, at mile 4 and then about mile 7.75, knowing I wanted it to get in my system before THE HILL! Started feeling a bit tired at mile 8, but got a little pep back after I ran the whole hill. Up on top, the wind was really strong in the face, but then we turned towards the finish and it wasn't an issue anymore. I checked my Garmin, and picked it up a bit as I approached the 13 mile mark, but I couldn't see the finish line, it seemed as if they had moved it further than it was last year, and sure enough, Garmie said 13.32 at the end. So I couldn't maintain that push through the finish, but did finish running. From about mile 9 on I could feel my left leg especially, and then both wanting to cramp, and even more so the last mile. Concentrated on running with my feet nice and loose and managed not to cramp up. All in all, this was a personal best race for me, by about 30 seconds and on a much more challenging course than my previous PR. I felt like I had a great race and that I went into it prepared.

I probably should have hydrated better the day before the race, I think that came back to bite me in the late stages of the race with the cramping issues. I also opted NOT to take in a gel at mile 12, and in hindsight wish I had at about mile 11-11.5, I think it would have given me just enough energy to keep pushing right through the end.

Tammy met me right at the finish line, and had somehow missed Connie coming across so we didn't know where she was. So we went ahead to the food tent and got our snacks and our finisher's shirts and then met Connie outside. We sat down for just a little bit when both my feet finally cramped up, and after about 10-15 minutes did the nice slow walk back to the hotel, got some breakfast (thank god they were still serving!) and took it back to the room. That hot shower felt FABULOUS!!!


I had a PR on a challenging course, and I'm not going to complain about my pace! Of COURSE I still want to break that 10:00/mile barrier and really had a goal of coming in under 2:15, but... I had a great race!


This was my 3rd Cowtown and I just love this race... love getting to go out of town and stay at a hotel with my running buds, love the whole atmosphere, and love having that goal to train for. My 3rd Cowtown, and my best one yet!