Overall, I enjoyed the day. The weather was perfect and 3 of my friends also ran the race. I’m disappointed in my time but instead of being discouraged by it, I will use it as motivation to get back to where I was a few months ago.

Although the race is very crowded (I think over 20,000 actually ran it this year), it was very well run by the army (no shortages of water, gatorade, or “hoorahs”). I have to say that I have never felt better while running than I did this morning. It shows….I took a full ten minutes off my time from last year and managed a 10:53 pace (I was hoping for under 11:00, but didn’t think I could sustain it for the entire 10 miles). I also distinctly remember hating running the 14th street bridge last year, but found it quite easy this year…and that’s saying something as the bridge spans the last mile of the race. There’s nothing like passing the guys that are walking the hills! ha So, it seems that my training really paid off this year. Thanks to everyone for helping me with hill and speed work!

Only one down side to the race…my right knee is really sore on the outside right. Feels like it did during the 1/2 marathon last spring only I didn’t notice it until I finished the race and began walking. It’s not the shoes…they’re new. Will rest up for a few days and see how it recovers. Still, it hasn’t dampened my enthusiasm for the day!!