My goals for this race, due to recent injuries, run dirt slow, take in the scenery, have fun and run pain free. I walked for 30 seconds at each mile marker just to take time to make sure my foot and/or ankle pain wasn't returning. Also I decided to run with brand new shoes, which I'm sure everyone on this site will agree is a swell idea. (new shoes ended up not being a problem at all, but I know I'm lucky) I felt really good up until mile 12, and then my wimpy winter mileage came back to haunt me. I ended up walking about half of the last mile. The swirling head winds off and on thoughout the race didn't help, but I'm not complaining since the race announcer said last years start was 20 degrees colder! Brrr Overall, it was a really pretty course. Hopefully I'll be back next year, running a lot faster. 12 weeks until the UVM... Quickly this year my running plans for each race are going from a goal finish time to "just finish". Which I guess is okay since I am still a complete newb. I'd like to post a good time for the SGM so we'll see how Spring/Summer training goes. | 