This was a much harder course then i thought it was going to be. Race got started and we were heading down this steep hill from 7500 feet elevation, felt like my pace was just alittle fast but if i slowed it felt like i was holding back so i just kept going with it 6:40ish pace for the fist 4 miles. We got to the bottom of that hill and my HR was high and thought it might be from the elevation. Started up the 1.5 mile hill and just wanted to hold a nice even pace and not to spend alot of energy going up it. I got to the top and and wanted my HR to come down so i slowed the pace down some and it was just not going down so i just kept going with what felt right. Was running 7:10 - 7:15 min miles on the way down and was getting closer to the bottom of the hill and my HR was comming down some but by this time i have already been running in Z3 for the last 16 miles. Got to the zoo and started a slight up hill run and could feel some discomfort in my legs and around mile 17 i stopped quickly to rub some winter crest on my legs before they got bad and got going again. Turned another corner and was heading up another hill and saw a phone in a zip lock bag in the middle of the road and ran by it and felt very compelled to turn around and get it andget it back to its owner and doubled back to get. Got going again and was running ok still but felt the legs getting heavy with every mile and every hill was starting to take a toll. Mile 24 things were hard and pace was off and just fighting to keep a 8:45 pace and by mile 25 just teying to keep a 10 min pace. Got to the finish line and seen my wife standing the and felt much better then, (she is such a great wife and an amazing person) I had a fun time running this course and very happy with my time. Got back to the Horel and got the phone back to its owner and they were so thankful and made me feel very good. 3:31:01 60 overall 10 in age group
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