I think the pictures pretty much sum it up - it was a lot of uphill, but a gorgeous loop around beautiful Mercer Island.
Background/Training - I went in intending to do this race as a hilly training run for the Wenatchee half next month. I didn't have super high expectations given the hills and the impromptu backpacking trip the previous two days. I turned my watch on at the start, but ran by feel and didn't look at it again until the finish.
The Race - After a bit of a directional mishap getting to the starting line, we enjoyed absolutely perfect running weather (for me) - sunny and clear, no wind, and a high of around 52. The course ran along the water around the edges of the island, and there were gorgeous views of water, mountains, and crazy expensive houses. It was hard to focus on the views, though, because the road was so steeply cambered/slanted the first 10 miles or so were spent looking down for anywhere that was remotely even to run. I am glad the road twisted and turned, so it wasn't slanted one way the entire time, but still - I think that bothered me more than the gradual uphill and the bigger uphills at the end. I kept a pretty steady pace most of the way through, and got to mile 10 feeling good - so I figured I'd let myself push a little for the last three miles. That ended up being a fun decision - almost everyone around me was walking/struggling on the bigger hills, and I felt great - such a fun feeling to go flying past everyone that passed you in the beginning of the race. I even managed a super strong finishing kick despite the uphill finish.
Ran the race in 2:22, 10:53/mile pace, which I am ok with given the course wasn't flat. The hills didn't really bother me feel-wise, but I'm sure they impacted my pace. I definitely met my two goals of a) not getting injured and b) running strong and finishing strong. Legs were a bit tight afterwards from all the hills, but I am feeling good two days later!
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