A wet, chilly day for a run. Started out wonderfully - just light rain and no wind. Heck, I was moving at a pretty good clip even. However, at the 1/2 way mark (which, incidentally was at the absolute bottom of a large hill) I felt my hip flexors getting a little tight because of the rain and cold. Plus this hill was a good 'un. I could never get my HR back down to a more reasonable level after that, and at mile 10 I was dyin'. I reached down deep and kept on the pace, but when we re-emerged onto the road, the hill was just too much. Yes, folks, I had to walk. Thankfully I wasn't the only one. I picked up the pace at the crest of the hill, to then go down a hill and have to walk when I got 3/4 of the way up the next one. The horror! Anyhow, after that the last few hills (which, the entire last mile was uphill) were all at a poky pace, but hey I finished strong. Er....as strong as I could.

Hmmm....I might start out a *tad* slower. Maybe wear a long-sleeve shirt? Not sure that would help - I have a feeling that it would only have felt heavy and not kept me any warmer. I don't think that I would race with my speed sensor on - just hte HRM. Sometimes its too easy to get caught up in the empirical data at your fingertips. I think that I would rather have just had the HRM data there. Lastly, I would have avoided the person who got me feeling a little under the weather this weekend (a tickle in the throat and a little sniffle). Sadly, I don't know who that is. I am sure that its some sort of karma related to my response post in this thread >> http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp... <<. That'll learn me!

Walked .6 miles to the parking area where they had food, drink, etc etc


I think that I went out too fast and I am really not a hill runner yet. Just more time in the saddle is all I need. Heck, this is only the second time I have run 13 miles...


VERY good race, even if it was created by some sadist. I suspect that I'll be back next year to see if I improve in my running. A challenging course to remind you that this can be a touch sport!

I got my medal, and you can't take that away from me!

Thanks to my friend Chris for pacing with me for the first 10 miles - she pushed me a little but that isn't bad. She made the rain that much more enjoyable!