This race wasn't initially on the schedule, but it made sense to get another middle distance day in before the next 5k. We had another day of beautiful weather. 50s, sunny, light breeze.
The 1500m went as planned, for the most part. I started in lane 2 and had a better reaction than the guys on either side of me, but they were quicker off the line. The result was having them both run into my elbows simultaneously, which shot me forward and into perfect position. I felt kinda bad about the elbows, but it really wasn't intentional. I sat in 4th for only the first 200m, and then the pace slowed. My prerace plan was to get through 800m in 2:07 and decided I would do it from the front if I had to. There were several guys in today's race with faster PRs, so I was expecting a faster opening pace. But I took over going into the homestretch.
We reached 400 in 63. Perfect. I buckled down the next lap, trying to make sure I didn't ease off the pace at all. 2:07 at 800. I was feeling the pace already, but put my head down to work the next 300. I reached 1 to go in 2:56 and knew the sub 4:00 was in reach, but that I needed a good last lap. I was already tightening up, but I dug in and tried to find some more. 1200 in 3:11/3:12. The guy who had been sitting on me blew past at that point, and his burst was so sudden and explosive I had nothing to respond. Found out later he ran 3:44 a few years ago. I was tightening badly and trudged through the next 100. Dylan came up on my shoulder with 200 to go and tried to pass. I managed to match him through the turn, and we battled down the homestretch. I was in full acid mode. I edged him at the line, but I saw the clock tick to 4:00 just before I crossed. So close! Official results won't get posted for a couple days, but I'm sure the clock wasn't reading fast. Perhpas if I had a pack to follow instead of leading 3 laps, I'd be there. But it is always exciting and satisfying to break old PRs.
I had about 20 minutes of rest and then jumped in the 800. My goal was to improve on last week's 800, so I ran even splits of 61/61 and finished with a 2:02. So another PR there. I think I might race an 800 after Portland just to finally break 2:00.
Also ran a half-hearted 4x400 with a 60.x split. My hamstrings were unhappy with me after last week, so I didn't want to push this.
EDIT: Official results came out with me at 3:59.9. It was hand timed, unfortunately, so unreliable. I'll take it for what it is and will just have to do it officially next year.
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