I am pretty happy with this one! HUGE PR and HUGE breakthrough on a tough course! Disclaimer, I measured it .08 short per Garmin but a solid sprint would have still put me through under 1:30 so I'm claiming it! This course rolls and rolls and has a slight net uphill. Anyways, got there way too early, sat in my car, registered, then warmed up 1 mile at 9:00 with a few very short strides throw in. It was 98% humidity, but at 65 degrees I felt pretty comfortable. I felt more than comfortable, I felt good. It was going to be a good day. We lined up, prayer, gun, and we're off. I fell right into position behind the first two guys, third overall, and maintained throughout. Miles 1-6: 6:43, 6:56, 6:48, 6:57, 6:41, 6:34. First 3 miles on gravel, some rolling but nothing major, one big hill in mile 4 moving into town and onto pavement, back onto dirt around mile 6. I just told myself to run comfortably hard but don't push because I need to save gas for the second half, which is much harder. 7-9: 6:56, 6:56, 6:41 Back on the dirt, a few rollers but still maintaining, still feel good 10-11: 7:12, 7:00 Steep hill, moment of weakness, then recovery 12-13-the end: 6:58, 6:56, then forgot to stop my watch at the end.
This is where the steep little hills just ricochet up and down relentlessly. My legs were definitely having a harder time getting up but I just kept plugging away and kept the pace suicidal on any opportunity to go down. Caught up with second place guy, but he mounted a good surge and pulled ahead. We turned the last corner and the finish line was like right THERE so I sped up but didn't get too much of a sprint. I saw 1:29 on the clock and was totally pumped. Never took any fluids or fuel, just ran, avoided looking at my watch. Talked to the male winner, he ran 1:22 something, has been running a long time and is familiar with local races, he said the course is very though and he thinks my 1:29 is worth 1:25 on a flat course. I don't think it's quite worth that, maybe 1:27 or so. Anyways, I have settled my score with this course and I still feel quite good!!!
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