Picked up the win on tired heavy legs but the effort was just about right. fun day :). more later. Even though I ran easy on Thursday when i woke up Friday my legs were still depleted. I worked 52 hours Monday-Thursday plus doubles every day so I was beat.I took it really easy Friday but I could feel that the race would be a good hard effort regardless. perfect really at this point late in the cycle :). I woke up, ate, and walked the 3 blocks to the start/finish (home town races rock). I was happy to see Kassi at last minute registration and got some warmup miles with her, Josse, Toni, and another very nice girl that I can't remember her name. We got back in time to go to the start and with lots of people still over in the park and talking they suddenly said runners to your mark, and the gun went off. I didn't even have my watch ready lol, oops. We were off and there were some people that wanted to turn on to center street and almost lead the masses off course. I was in a pack up front and shouted "go straight!!" and just kept on course. Within a half mile there were three of us and one guy was seriously drafting tight right on me.... at a half mile into the race... uugghh. He looked to be an experienced faster in shape runner but I couldn't believe anyone would draft that early. So I swerved around and he stayed right on me :). I finally slowed up to 7ish pace until he came along side and then picked it up again. We ran side by side through mile 1 with another really nice kid in 5:50. My plan was to run right there the first 3, surge the hill just before 4, run strong until the big hill section and then pick it up on the return for a good MP tempo at the end of a long week regardless who was there or leading. Things didn't quite turn out that way :). At mile 3 I was all alone and my legs were toast. Lactic was building and I wasnt even at pace yet. I felt like I was close to the red line already. It was a little frustrating for a minute but I quickly calmed down, adjusted my attitude, and decided to make a day of it effort wise. At the hill at 4 I pushed hard and like I suspected I went over the line and my breathing went crazy. So I kept it right there the rest of the race. It was a good experience to force myself to try and make friends with very uncomfortable and I didn't break the rest of the way even though it was very hard. The pace stayed very consistent around 5:50 with a couple slower miles on the bigger climb in the middle. I took a GU at 8 and noticed my shoe untied but didn't tie it until 11. I ran the last 2 faster and kicked the last half mile (2:23). It was the very best thing to have my 3 little kids and wife right at the finish line when I was coming in. My little 4 year old daughter Nora was jumping up and down smiling and screaming. After I crossed I got a huge hug from my kids who normally won't get near me after a run, it was the best. So not the race I wanted but a great workout and experience that I am most thankful for. I was stoked for Kassi when she came in under the CR. Awesome! The running club in Spanish is great. They make pancakes and waffles for everyone and their families after. It really is a very well done race. I got a sweet trophy and $100 and the win so I have tons to be grateful for. I ran 5 to cool down and felt fine. My body was just tired during the race. one more big week and then it's taper time. I'm very confident that it's all going to come together just right for STG. I'm so happy to be healthy and strong with no niggles. I have the best training partners. It's going to be some real fun in 3 weeks! | 