Lighthouse Run 2006

After finishing in under 85 minutes last year, I trained for this year's Lighthouse Run hoping to finish in about 80 minutes (which translates to 8-minute miles, of course). However, the weather did not cooperate on race day. The temperature was already above 80 degrees at the start of the race, so staying hydrated was a constant challenge.

I ran the first part of the race with Ken, a friend and fellow SCJ employee. We were pacing at 7:30 a mile (possibly even faster) -- I soon realized that I would not be able to keep up with him. I slowed down by the water stop at four-mile mark for a quick break, and that would be the last time I was running alongside him.

I took several more walking breaks at various points in the second half of the race (more than I wanted to), but I still managed to finish strong. I didn't have anyone to chase in the final 200 meters, but I had a few people trying to catch me. I used up the last of my energy holding off the chasers, and I finished in 1:25:05. This is about 16 seconds SLOWER than last year. However, I finished in 327th place last year, and I finished in 182nd place this year. That's a decent improvement.

Overall, it was a good race, and it was a great learning experience. I'm not sure if I'll do any more races this summer, but I'll probably be in the Portland Marathon on October 1.