This was the first year that this race has been put on, and it showed. Besides some minor things that add up, overall it was a well designed race and I am sure next year it will be awesome. I took 2 gu's before the race (probably don't need them for a half) and some water. The first 6.5 miles of this course are basically like running down a cliff. The course drops 1300 feet in that short distance, and it was impossible to hold myself back. It was about 60-65 degrees at the start, a little too warm, so at each aid station I would drink half of my water then pour the other half on my head to cool down. After the first 6.5 miles I was all by myself. I could see a guy (wearing all blue) about half a mile in front of me, but he had been that far in front of me for a while so I wasn't thinking about him. I was just thinking about how slow I felt like I was going after flying down the steep road. At about mile 8 my wife and Mackson were on the course to say hi. As I passed them Crystal informed me that I was in 5th place and that the 3rd place guy had just been walking. This gave me motivation to try and catch him. If I can catch him, then I am in 4th, and maybe that will give me the motivation to catch Blue. By mile 9 I had passed the guy Crystal told me about. He took 2 walking breaks and I caught him on the second. Blue still looked strong and still had a good lead on me, but it was getting smaller. By mile 10 I thought for sure I was going to get him, but I didn't know how long it would take. Near mile 11 I was on his heels and getting ready to pass, but I also had to clear my throat, and didn't want him to hear me sneaking up on him, so I resisted the urge to clear my throat until I passed him at about mile 12. By the time I was heading into the finish line I looked back to see if he was getting ready to counter attack, but he was no where in sight. I tried to finish strong and do the best I could the entire race, and overall I am pleased with the way the race went. I was hoping to finish under 1:20, but today wasn't the day for that, too hot and too steep (and probably not enough training). Avg HR 173 Max HR 184 (my HR #'s seem a little fishy) | 1 | 5:51.6 |
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| 2
| 5:51.7 |
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| | 3 | 6:02.5 |
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| | 4 | 6:03.2 |
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| | 5 | 5:49.2 |
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| | 6 | 6:06.2 |
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| | 7 | 6:22.9 |
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| | 8 | 6:37.4 |
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| | 9 | 6:45.3 |
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| | 10 | 6:43.8 |
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| | 11 | 6:37.7 |
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| | 12 | 6:43.7 |
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| | 13 | 6:40.0 |
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| | 14 | :16.9 |
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My watch said it was only 13.05, but I haven't had any half measure exactly 13.1, so I will take it.
time 1:22:31 Avg pace 6:20
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