Woke up at 3:30 and had the typical yogurt and cliff bar for breakfast. Took a shower and was feeling good. Lungs felt a little heavy but didn't think anything of it. Legs felt ready to go. I met Scott at the AF High School and we boarded the buses. The ride up was nice. I was anxious to race. I was finally feeling ready to run after a weird week of sickness. Scott and I did a 2 mile wu up to the campground and back down. Did about 6 striders as we met up with Matt and Mike who both looked ready to lay some carnage after a week from UVHM. Wish they had a bib today. Stupid race director. I still say they were 4th and 5th respectively. Great job to both of them. I knew my game plan was to go out in the 5:40's down the canyon and just stay conservative to be there for the last 4 miles of this race. The mile markers seemed a little early or little late the whole race but in the end it was spot on for the distance so no big deal there. I met a guy named JP that Scott works with and he said his goal was 5:40's so I thought we would just run together. We did for the first 3 :) then he slowly pulled away with ease. Great job JP today! Miles 1-3(5:33, 6:00, 6:07). Honestly, I just felt very comfortable and never felt like I was going fast at this point. I knew I was being conservative but felt it was the right thing to do. Like I said the mile markers were weird? So right after mile 3 I pulled out a cliff gel shot to eat and sure enough white powder all over it. No, not crack but laundry detergent. Great! Last thing I needed to go wrong. So I chuck the 3 gel shots I had and just said oh well deal with it. The canyon was so gorgeous! The temp was perfect. The field was very cool. Miles 4-6(5:54, 5:44, 5:43) Freaking perfect! Felt great here. About three people caught me in this stretch including the 2nd place woman and Tristam. Trist looked great for the type of month he has had. Really smart run by him today. Stayed calm coming out of the canyon. I seriously felt relaxed the whole time. Never felt fast but just locked in what I thought was a conservative effort to be there for the last 4 miles. So coming out the canyon I felt the energy to make a suttle push to catch Trist and this other guy in a white tank. Miles 7 and 8(5:53, 6:04). 46:05 through 8, spot on for the game plan. Then I came up on the first little roller through Hole #1 on the golf course at 8.5. For some reason I felt a zap of energy at this exact moment like I hit a wall. Was this sickness I had going to affect me? Who cares about that. NO EXCUSES, GO! Well I came through the tunnel just before 9 and going up a simple hill I felt no energy. I now knew I was in trouble. The 2nd place woman kept stopping and starting the whole time. Seriously annoying. I never had it in me after this point to run with anyone or go with anyone. I felt alone. Weird feeling. By the time I got to the pond I felt I was crawling. Great times :) Miles 9-10(6:29, 6:29) I'm now in trouble. Ok, So here is where the race begins right?! Wrong. It ended in the last 5k. In fact, I guess I can count the last 5k as part of my CD. Well, to stay positive Jen came up on me after 11.5 and I just told her great job and have fun and go get the 2nd place woman. I didn't have anyone pass me after that but when Trist came out of the porta potty at 11 I knew I was not going under 1:20 so my mind just said whatever! I crusied in the last mile at a snail's pace and just called it what it was. Miles 11-13 and the .1(6:49 Really?, 6:24, 6:39 lol, .32) Fantastic jog for the last 5k. I am going to count Matt as 4th and Mike as 5th overall because they did race.
Was able to CD with Scott, Matt, Toni, Mike, Dave, JP 3.5. Really enjoyed hearing everyone else report their journey's today. Some great efforts and times. Really fun to see a lot of great talent in this area improving and getting faster. Cannot believe some of the times people did just off of other races the past few weeks. Great job to Zak and great job to Walter. Lindsey you looked smooth as silk down the canyon. Come pace me for Timp :) Great time today for a great cause. Love the running world. Great people. Enjoying the journey. Now back to the drawing board...
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