Earlier today I was reviewing the route map for Saturday’s run. I have only biked in Prospect Park, so was only remotely familiar with the park layout and grade. I put the route map into the Runkeeper application and discovered what most of you who have gone around the park already know – the entire east side is uphill – and the very last leg is especially steep.

The race starts with a nice downhill stretch but just before the first mile marker, the grade turns up and continues to rise all the way to about 2.5 miles. The next mile or so is undulating but nothing too severe, with a good downhill approach to finish line that should suit me if I have any energy reserves for a final burst of speed.

Ouch! In this case perhaps ignorance was bliss.