I have done this race 6x. The first 4 times my training was a joke and the story was the same every year. I could get through about 9 miles and it turned into a death march and I would finish in about 2:25 and in a lot of pain. In 2016 I was training with LA Leggers and was able to increase my distance and make running somewhat enjoyable with their run/walk approach and was able to finish much stronger with a 2:15. I skipped the race in 2017 but since 2016 have done a full marathon and Ironman. My running has greatly improved and I have been doing more strength training. My fastest training HM was down to 2:06. My strategy was to stay just below a 10 min mile pace, while slowing down a minute every 6 minutes. Then hit the last 3 miles harder. Also was running with the infinit nutrition for the first time. I have had a lot of pain on this course so I was a bit nervous. The weather was warm and there is no shade on the course. My heart rate was a little high at a 164 average so that slowed me a little, but i executed my strategy and finished with a 2:08 race PR which is about a 9:49 average pace. No pain at the end whatsoever, I feel like I may have left a couple minutes on the course from about MI 6-10, but overall am happy with the result.