Bret

So this was not a race that I knew with certainty that I was going to do until yesterday afternoon - so no taper or easing up of my training leading into it.  Decided to run when the timing became apparent that I could both run this race in Clearwater and get to my daughter's high school cross country race in Dunedin before it started.

First two miles were statisfactory (not great, but acceptable)- 5:48 and then 5:59 (hill) but then I sort of inexplicably blew up in mile 3 and ran 6:30 - Race length was long at 3.2 miles which I had run and measured with my garmin before the race and during.  Ultimately confounded about this time - since my training has been great, and training times have been indicative of a much faster result.  Warm temps of 87 degrees with 87% humidity may be a factor.  Race winner ran 17:00 and second place was 30 seconds in front of me.  Had a chance before 2 miles to move to 2nd place but the third mile fade and the lack of anyone close behind me (low key race) left me alone in 3rd.

Hopped in my car immediately after the finish and got to Delaney's meet in time.  Actually they delayed the start for 15 mins due to lightning in the area.  Used that time for a proper cool down around Fisher fields and the Hammock Park.  This site is where my high school cross country team had its home meets (different course now though).  Old teammate Todd Howsare is coaching Dunedin's team - and we had a chance to catch up - along with Suzanne Rodriguez who is a local race director for tri's and a former teammate from high school.   Delaney struggled a bit too this morning and was just outside the top 7 on her team on a rainy heavy course.  My wife and Riley were there too (Riley is home from college this weekend to go see Ed Sheeran in concert in Orlando tonight).  We all went to breakfast at the Lucky Dill and had a nice morning.

PM - easy 6 mile shake out.  Body felt fine - just a little tired.