"I don't really need a duck"

Noon - 4 tired and hot miles on the Parkway.  The run was highlighted by a snake sighting - It decided to do a 180 when I was a few feet away.

5:30 am - 7 miles with Rachel, George and Curtis.  Nice to not have to worry about any layers.

Stupid work.

3 miles around Day Break with Rachel and Beca.

This race was certainly not what I expected or hoped for. Yes it was wet ( rained nearly the entire time), yes there was head wind for a lot of the course, and yes we spent waay to much time waiting for the race to start (2hrs+) but none of that should have made mile 12 feel like mile 20. My quads and hips were sore from mile 12 on. I desperately wanted to tuck in behind Devra an Tee when they passed me but there was no go. I have never had tightness like this before so I'm not certain where it came from. One of the consequences of not wearing Crocs this time around is that I had to re-tie my right shoe twice once at mile 3 and 8 ( on a positive note I didn't get any blisters). I was hoping that once I hit Ogden Canyon that I would be able to pick it up a bit, but that was short lived. At mile 20 I thought I still had a chance to break 3 hrs but by mile 23 I knew that was out of the question so I just did what I could to plod it in anxiously waiting for runners to pass me that I knew so I could congratulate them (many did). When I finally got to the finish line I worked through finish area rather quickly, met up with Aubrey and the boys (they did a great job enduring the rain), and slowly ( as fast as I could go) shivered my way back to the Hotel (fortunately only a block and a half away) for a hot bath and dry clothes. After a bit of rest I headed back to pick up my drop bag and, wouldn't you know it, it was beautiful outside (just a few hours late). My legs have improved through the day and all in all I am feeling rather well. I did enjoy running with Josh E for the first 8 mile and meeting and competing with so many running friends. I will get that Sub 2:50.