Notes
I went into this race more prepared for a race than I have in years... I had hopes to PR and beat my 3:56:56 from 2006 in Phoenix. It wasn't meant to be. I don't know if I went out too fast or it was the heat or if it was both. This race started good. (despite the fact that my left leg and foot went numb at mile 1 and didn't go away until mile 4) I could tell at mile 10 that this wasn't going to be my day because my legs felt tired already. But I got a burst of energy at mile 13 and I felt great. ran 3 miles that were 8:25-8:35 (which was too fast) Then at mile 16 I knew it was over... my body just started feelling bad. Until at mile 19 I got a cramp in my side and I had to walk. The cramp lasted that entire mile. It went away and mile 20 was pretty good....9:01. but then in mile 21 cramps in my leg muscles sat in. by mile 23 it got pretty bad and it was hard to go a 1/4 mile without my calf muscles tensing up so much that i couldn't lift my foot toward my shin. walking helped. It had to be the heat the last half of the race. full sun with no shade. I hydrated more this race than I ever have during a race.... but I guess it just wasn't enough. Despite the problems the last 7 miles and the heat... i still was only off my PR by just over 5 mintues. My 4:02:39 is my 2nd best time ever and I'm proud of that.