Well, "A" goal was 1:08, "B" Goal was under 1:10, and "C" goal was PR. At least I (barely) made my B goal and PRed by a mere 32 seconds I believe. It hasn't been an awesome week but this was a pretty nice boost. I have a crummy cold. I really didn't know how much I would feel like pushing it today but after getting out there and warming up I decided I would try and hit the halfway mark in less than 35 minutes and go from there. I jogged around a little, ran into Eddy, ran 2.82 nice and easy with him, then we ditched all our gloves and sleeves and shirts and went to the starting line, which was waaaay congested. I'm glad they had chip timing this year because it took a while to cross the mat and start running. I really shouldn't complain but in races with narrow starts like this it is irritating when people...don't position themselves correctly. I'll leave it at that. The gun went off and I slowly eased myself into a groove. Most of the race is on a narrow bikepath and unfortunately is basically out and back which creates problems after the turnaround. I found myself ready to open up and go but trapped--couldn't pass with the oncoming traffic and had to run behind folks that were not going my speed, wait for an opening, and then swerve wildly around them before having a head on collision. The course is more or less flat with a few steep little rollers going up and down to the riverbank from the road. I felt strong at some times and tired at others. It was a very bipolar race for me! I pushed the last two miles and passed a lot of people when I realized that I was riding pretty close to sub 1:10 and better get my behind in gear. The south wind my friend was present but not blustery and not much of a factor. Someone told me I was 8th woman but I haven't seen the official results. My garmin measured this a little long(10.03) but I am sure that is from improper tangents after the turnaround. Splits are per the first 10 miles on Garmin 6:55, 6:50, 6:58, 6:59, 7:01, 6:59, 7:03, 7:06(got a little lazy in these miles I think), 7:01, 6:49. Cheered for fellow tribe members afterward. Had a nice talk with some Rose Hill friends Mickey and her husband, saw one of my old paramedic co-workers Angela(she is doing great with the running thing), saw our friend Amy, also saw some of the GoRun Wichita group and talked with a few of the folks I ran with during the marathon--we all ended up running pretty close to each other this race too! It was great to talk to people and hang out a little--it made me feel better about things and life in general. Anyways it was a marginal PR but it gives me a glimmer of hope that I have some stronger races in me to look forward to.
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