I lined up behind the 4 hour marathon pacer as the marathon was starting the same time and doing 2 loops. I figured the 2 hour HM pacer was in there some place. Went with the flow (fairly slow) as we started. Finally spread out a bit as we were getting to the river path. Feeling pretty good running along with 8:4ish pace. The first half of the race has some rollers but is primarily down hill along the west side of the river. Kind of a neat part of Rochester I have never been in. The race used the river paved path which at one point was several hundred yards of bridge over the Genesee River.

Almost to the lake we move up off the path onto some city streets before crossing over to the east side of the river. Once headed south on Thomas Road (I think that was the name) we hit the first significant hill which wasn't terribly steep, but lasted about a mile and a half. From here it was mostly uphill, with the occasional downhill until we returned to the park we started at. Pace was starting to drag. This is where the marathon participants broke off for a second loop.

The half continued south and back onto the river path. A little bit of downhill through this section, but mostly flat along the river. It was through here that I was passed by the 2 hour pace leader. I tried to keep up, but couldn't. After we crossed the bridge at the RG & E hydro electric plant we had a significantly steep up hill to the main roads. Steep enough that it was just as effective to walk the hill.

From here about a mile and a half of flat to slight downhill to the finish.

Disappointed not to break 2 hours.

Lose the 20 pounds I put on since IM Chatt last year. Working on it.

Walked around some, had a little chocolate milk and a slice of pizza/


Weight and generally slack training this summer.


Yellow jacket puts on a good race, they have had practice. This was a new course for this race. A lot more challenging than the old one, but nice to see new places.