So here was the goals for this race. Been wanting this to be a predictor for me of where I was right now. So it was going to be my best effort. Hopefully PR but wanted to see what the day would bring. I was for sure wanting to beat last years time of 42:30 and hopefully beat my new PR at Spectrum 10k of 41:09 earlier this year. So I was focused on doing a 41:00. So anything below that I would be very happy with. Was looking at the course tool that when I plugged in my goal time said run 6:30, 6:28, 6:39, 6:35, 6:37, 7:04,1:03 to hit that 41:00 pace only problem was it said it was 6.14 distance and not 6.2. Which bit me in the butt last year. With those goals in mind. That is what I was planning on doing. Met up with Slick by the finish line to drop off a car and then rode up to the start. And then decided hey lets check for construction and check the course again. Yep it was as I remembered it and no construction to worry about. He did mention something that made me change my thinking there for the last 2 miles of hitting it harder. Where last year I struggled at that part. And didn't want to make the mistake of 2 yrs ago and do a sub 6 in the first mile. So after talking a bit of race tactics. We got to the start with a bit of time to go. Did a nice warm up mile and hit the PoP. Was feeling pretty good. And very happy that we weren't doing the full. It was a very clear morning. And so no mercy for the ones doing the marathon. For us though it was nice and if all went well might make it in before the sun. We lined up pretty close to the front and on the left side this time. I wasn't going to run farther this yr like last year. So ran the tangents even closer this time would be the plan. The race started off right on time at 6:05 and we were off. Right out of the shoot though I think I lost Slick. And for the first mile I kept expecting him to catch up as I tried to keep it at the set pace. Which ended up being a bit fast. But I was very happy when I hit the mile 1 marker and I was right on with it. No Slick though. I just kept trying to stay relaxed through here. The pace wasn't killing me I just wanted to stick to the plan of going just under 6:30 and did just that. Then here came my toughest mile. Took a downhill and then a longer uphill. Really had to stay focused here. It was again my toughest mile but thought it was only the beginning. But it turned out to only get better. At this point I was holding my own in the crowd of people. And no one was really passing or anything if anything I passed a few on getting up the hill. And thought I was pushing it to hard and would pay for it later. Got to the top and my pace was for .25-30 was 7:11 and that got me going. But with the downhill there I was wanting to make up the time and pushed a bit harder to lower the time again. All the time relaxing as best I could. Really started to feel comfortable here for some reason. Maybe a bit too relaxed. Someone behind me said we just did the 5k in under 20. And I had missed the split dang it. It was 3.15 or so and just a bit into 20 and change. Started getting my hopes up for the 2nd half since I was feeling so good. Then I realized that the course tool I was using was .06 short and if the 5k split was right around 20. Then I was looking good and about where I wanted to be. Took the corner that started heading South. And decided to hold on to the downhill speed as best as I could. I was on pace for a 6:20 and I just held it as long as I could and it was feeling good. Especially since I started passing people. I was feeling a lot better then last year or the year before. Man I love my racing flats. My feet normally seemed to feel heavy at this part and it didn't. So I kept pushing the pace or really maintain it since that last mile was faster and yet more flat. Hit the mile 5 marker and oh yeah!!! I was coming right up on 33 mins. Quick figure was saying that I had my 41 and even some hopes of going sub 40. If I could pick it up. Turned the corner and was heading down to the finish. Heard JohnnyV cheer for me. Which gave me a boost of energy. I picked out a guy in a orange shirt. He was my target with 6 people between us. I didn't look down at my watch at all till the end. After 2 blocks I had caught him and he tried to hang with me for the next block. It only left 100 or so meters to go. But I was still had another gear left. And left my target behind me. Then I saw the clock oh man 40:38 oh man. No sub 40 but ended up with 40:31. OH YEAH!!!! I am so happy with that time and effort. I am getting closer to my sub 40 and I am sure my sub 20 at 5k will be happening for sure this year. So with the time of 40:31 that was a 38 sec PR and 1:59 faster then last year at the same race. I am feeling really good with it. And its even faster then my time I need for my predictor for a 3:10 training plan. And happy with sticking so close to my plan.
Hung out and meet up with a lot of people. Slick and I cheered in people up to around 4 hrs on the marathon. And I got luck to run with Allie for a short time in the last bit of the marathon before the last corner. She did awesome. 1st number is goal time of 41:00 2nd is time ran Mile 1 6:30 6:25 Mile 2 6:28 6:25 Mile 3 6:39 6:37 Mile 4 6:35 6:39 Mile 5 6:37 6:28 Mile 6 7:04 6:36 Mile 7 1:03 for .14 1:19 (6:07 pace) TT 40:31 AP 6:31 Total Distant 6.22 PM- Went out for a run at 7pm. It was a bit warm still 90 or so. So was going to keep it nice and easy recovery but long. Had a few hills on this run. With a couple down hills. TT 1:35:58 AP 8:53
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