Well this was a workout!
I was happy that I got to meet some of RAD's running friends and we were able to spend the night talking and laughing.
MR was awesome and gave us a ride to the start so we didn't have to get up earier and take the bus. I love that guy.
I don't often follow pacers during races, but I felt like it was really likely I could get under a 9:40 pace if I tried to stick with the 2:05 pacers. My trouble was that my experience with following pacers is limited to flat courses where they maintain an even & steady pace. These pacers were all over the place with their pace - and I understand that it was dictated to them this way because of the hills, but after I chased them on steep rolling hills at a 8:39 pace for a mile, I was exhausted and had to walk. I just could not keep up with them. I was angry with them because I felt like they'd tricked me into running faster than I was used to. Oh well, lesson learned.
I met my goal - I ran a 2:05. Yes, it was almost 2:06, but it wasn't! So I managed a 9:36 pace and I was really happy about it because it was a tough course for me. Who puts a wicked steep hill at mile 11 of a half marathon? I mean, really!?!?!?!
The lunch at smash burger was scrupmtious and made those terror hills worth the workout.
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