8:00 AM - Chilly start to the morning, in the mid-30s. Got up and drove to Schenectady, NY. A bit drowsy driving to the race, despite eating breakfast and having a cup of decaf coffee. This is my seventh time in the last 8 years running this race. The only year I did not run it was 2008 when I was sick and had a sore achilles for most of the year. It was also the year that I did a lot more running than usual. Got to Schenectady and weighed in at 224 lbs for the Clydesdale division. Second year in a row running it. Went back to the car and warmed up for a while. Then when for a nice 15 min jog on the last mile and a half of the course. THE RACE: Started the race in the middle of the pack. I knew that if I went too far up towards the front people would go out too fast. I am not in any way near the physical shape I was in '07 when I ran my fastest time here, a 1:07. I hope by the next year to run sub 1:10 again. Am committed to losing the weight. MILES 1-3: Went through the first mile in 9:00. Nice and easy. Up and out of Central Park and then gradual downhills for miles 2 and 3. Clocked off an 8:40 and then low 8:00s. Went through the 5k in 30:25 gun time, more like 29:50 chip time. MILES 4-6: Settled in with a group and ran by feel. Of course I went too fast for my fitness. Cruised through the Stockade, picking people off while they stopped for water. Did not take any liquid. Went up State St. hill and into the cemetery. Clocked a 51:25 through the 10k mark. Oops! low 7:00s for the second 5k. Was in for it, considering last 5k is rolling hills. MILES 7-9.3: Legs were really tired. Jogged up the hill by the school to the last water stop. Nice and easy to mile 8. Walked a bit mile 8-8.5. Everyone I worked so hard to pass started passing me. Dehydrated, the world started to spin. Kept going though. A bit bummed. As I came into the park, tried to keep going but just didn't feel it. I guess I was ahead of Mr. Ostrander, my English teacher's husband the whole race. He passed me with .2 to go. last year I beat him by :02. We both were slower this year. He ran 1:21:24 gun time. I ran 1:21:49. Next year it's on! Cooled down to the car after I grabbed an iced tea, two chocolate milks, two waters, and a Coke. Total Distance: 11.5 miles Total Time: 1:35:00 Average Pace: 8:16
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