This was easily the 2nd hardest course I have ever run (the first being the Winter Running Series 10K). There was not one mile on the course that was not up or down (it was an out-and-back) and the ups were miles long, and quite frankly, the downs never felt as long ;-)). But! I was very happy. It was my first race as a 50 year old, my first race in 16 months, and my first race back after my horrid year last year! Whoo hoo, is all I can say! I was 9th woman, and 1st woman master (over 40). I was only 4 seconds off of my PR from last year, and the course was tough (have I mentioned how tough the course was? :-)). I had a few 7:30 miles in there -- but these were tempered by some sub 7:00s, so it was much more about focusing on "effort" and not freaking out at my mile splits. Good practice for the marathon, right? anyway ... here they are: 6:56, 15:06 (missed the mile marker ~7:33 average), 7:07, 7:02, 14:20 (missed the mile marker again, 7:10 average), 7:09, 7:29, 7:22, 7:32, 6:45, 7:02, :42 The timing mat had me at 47:30 at the halfway point, which is pretty remarkable to me (that I was able to negative split second half by any amount - I was so tired on the last uphills!). I am very excited about my goal of a 3:20 at Eugene, I almost believe it is possible now! Happy Sunday bloggers!
| 