Third times a charm! Computer issues x 2. Hopefully I can finish writing the report this time.
I was ranked third in the series by 3 seconds from second, then 1:45 from the leader. So I needed to make a plan. I had my splits written out on my arm using the course tool at 6:55. I spoke to Michelle L via skype to discuss some strategy. Thank you Michelle! So nice of her to take a second and lend her expert advice. Due to past course times, it appeared the winners were conservative. I also learned that it would be hard to make up the time I was behind first place if we were all having a good race, so I just had to focus on myself and let the peieces fall where they may.
It was a great morning for racing. It was chilly but there was no wind and the sun was warm. Lined up at the start and spoke to one of the girls about an earlier misunderstanding regarding me drafting off of her. Air is clear and she is quite nice!:)
My plan was to stick to my pace but keep the leaders in sight. Rachel went out with a small group of girls who helped pace her, Cynthia Fowler and Amanda Bebe I think. They looked like they were all on a casual stroll. I stayed behind about 6 seconds.
Miles 1-3 (6:37, 6:44, 6:51) Very easy miles but noticed off the bat my legs were feeling heavy. Resisted the urge to speed up and stuck to the plan. Everyone looked like they were having a good time with lots of conversations.
Miles 4-6 (6:56, 6:53 6:58) Feeling good and finally saw Malika come up from behind. Course was flat with rollers so I loved having the course tool make it all feel like an even effort. I am converted. Slighlty ahead of pace from start.
Miles 7-9 (7:02, 7:07, 6:57) These miles were gradual uphill (3% or so). Feeling fine but legs are still heavy for some reason. The pacers leading the first girl would take breaks then play catch up. So ran with Cynthia and Malika for a while and talked about our jobs and training. It turns out Cynthia and I live near each other and will meet up for runs. Then she ditched us and caught up to her friend. In heinsight, I should have just went with her, I had no reason to run behind anymore- but felt I couldn't make any moves until the turn around. Took first water stop with a GU. Still on pace.
Miles 10-12 (7:01, 6:43, 6:40) Still felt good for these miles but my legs are starting to feel like lead. I had a plan to drop the pace and keep around 6:40 but legs wanted to stay in cruise control. Miles 11-12 are slight downhill. Lungs felt great and breathing under control.
Miles 13-15 (7:03, 6:56, 7:04) Starting gradual uphill to finnish around mile 15. I try to push the pace and start playing catch up but I wasn't making any ground. Took a 5 hour enery here.
Miles 16-18 (7:00, 7:06, 7:14) Girls are pulling ahead but I am not. My legs are content at that speed and nothing more. Began to realize that I had no chance to move up in the ranks at this point and enjoyed the ride coming in. Came in with a hard effort at the end and was happy with my time of 2:09:16. At the 30K I was in the high 2:08 but what does it matter now? Didn't catch the last .67 due to not stopping watch.
Warmed down with Mark and Kam for a couple of miles. Stayed for awards and got some prize money for third overall and some gear.
This was a good race for me today. Although I didn't win the series, third is fine too. However I gained several positive benifits from this race. 1. Felt like I could have kept the same pace for another 7 miles, enough to run a marathon. Would I have been able to keep it up? Who knows, but I felt at that moment as though I could! Good news to me and a gage of my current fitness. 2. I met another running partner who lives near! 3. I had a great expereince and felt good. I'm not sore and feel energized and refrshed to start the season of racing- Summertime! Pics below after the race, collections from the race and splits on arm. The photo is HUGE! Steve wrote them on for me the night before with some personalized art work:)
 
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