Notes
65'F + 55'F = 120
Downtown Doubler 15k
This was my longest race ever. I did not know what to expect. My goal was 8:20 pace, but I finished at 8:00 pace! I ran behind three guys who were chatting and running a steady 7:45. I felt good so I stayed with them. The first 5k was very shaded with a a water station at the end. It was very flat and very straight as It headed up River Road. The next 5k was on a narrow asphalt bike trail and I passed the elite runners who had already made the turn and were headed back. I noticed that there were a lot of people in front of me and realized that this was a very competitive field. The second 5k was shaded as well and the temperature was just right for shorts and a t-shirt. The turnaround was at Cox's park just under halfway mark. We headed back toward the water station. Around 6 1/2 miles, the course turned off River Road to downtown streets and left the shade. It was beginning to warm up and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. My pace began to slow. It was also hilly, though no major hills. There was one last water station and I struggle to run 8:30 pace the last mile. I was glad I left it all on the course, though.
The only negative I need to mention is that there were only four port-a-potties for 400+ runners. At the end of the race, there was water, sports drinks, bananas, and breakfast bars. Overall, it was a very good race.