I just spent 20 minutes typing a long race report and it didn't save a drop of it! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I hate that! So when I have more time I will retype it.
My Garmin is in my truck and I let my neighbor borrow it, so splits will come later. I woke up this morning with a bad sore thorat, it has been hurting all week but today it was a lot worse. I arrived at the park with plenty of time so spare, I hit the bathroom and then headed back to the truck. It was 28 with a good cold wind, it was freezing. Mile 1 - Walter and I started out 1,2 with a couple of guys behind me. I knew that Walter would win but I kept on waiting for someone to pass me. It was a quick mile, the nerves must have been running high. I could hear foot steps behind me, but I check to see who it was. Mile 2 - I could still hear foot steps and was tempted to look back, but there was a lot of race left. So I concentrated on my pace and breathing. It would hurt to breathe out of my mouth so I had to make sure that I would breathe in and out of my nose. Mile 3 - This was a hard mile, lots of rolling hills and then a GREAT BIG HILL right at the mile 3 marker. I took a look back just before the hill and could see third place guy. I knew that he had to run up the same hill so I just picked my way up the hill. I was glad to see Scott and his kids cheering me on from the top, it really helped a lot. Mile 4 - Started on the trail portion of the race, it was really windy and I could tell that it wasn't going to stop. I could still see third place guy so I decided that I would pick up the pace and see if I could put some distance between me and him. The wind was gusting really bad, straight in your face too. Mile 5 - I could no longer see third place guy and this was the last time that I saw Walter. He was climbing the hill and I could tell that he had slowed down a lot going up it. Hills and head wind don't mix very well. I slowed just a bit going up it, I knew that there was a lot of race left and that I had a good lead between me and third place. Mile 6 - I was really wanting to eat my roctane so I was hoping for a water stop real soon. I could see mile 7 coming up so I ate the gu and when I rounded the corner there was no WATER. I kept the gu in my mouth until 7.35, where they had water. Scott was there with the kids and that helped again. I threw him my gloves and continued on. Mile 7 - This was a good mile I felt pretty good and was excited that I was more than half way. Mile 8 - This was a hard mile, there was a long gradual hill that seemed to go on forever. The wind was still there and was not helping the situation. I pushed hard up this hill I knew that there was one more hill at mile 9 so the quicker I got up this one I would get the other one over with. Mile 9 - There was a water stop at mile 9, I looked back and couldn't see anyone so now it was a race against the clock. Mile 10 - This mile I started feeling a little better. I checked my watch and it read 1:03:?? I wanted to get under 1:23:00 but I knew that it was going to be hard to run a 20 min 5k with the wind and fatigue. I ate my last roctane and , and again said hi to Scott and the fam. I was wanting to get to Redwood Road and have some flat ground to run on. Mile 11 - This was a good mile, the cars on Redwood would hink and wave, so it kind of boosted my energy a little. I made a turn at 11.5 and almost came to a complete stop because of the wind. Is was blowing hard until you made the turn to head east. I knew that mile 12 was right by the start but I had no idea where the finish was. Mile 12 - I was still feeling good but was ready to get out of the wind, and ready for some downhill. I asked the lady that was telling people where to turn if she could see anybody behind me, she said no. I could see that there was a good .25 mile ahead that was down hill. I pressed hard down it and then ran pretty quick on the river bridge. Mile 13 - I hit mile 13 just as I came under the bridge on 12300 S, I could see Evan waiting for me. I waved for him to come and run with me. I slowed down a bit and knew that I would be just over 1:23:00, but I really didn't care to much. It was nice to be done and I wanted to take advantage of not having to kick real hard at the end. Mile 13.1 - YEAH DONE!!!!! But the wind was still blowing and it was cold. I am happy with my performance, most of all I am pleased with the mental strength that I had. Normally I hit a point where I know I can't catch the guy in front of me so I quit chasing and just settle in at a comfortable pace and just coast along. I knew that I had a big lead and I knew that Walter was way ahead, but I still wanted to finish strong and leave nothing in the bag.. Split's - 6:01, 6:20, 6:32(big hill), 6:17, 6:26(good hill and wind), 6:46(lots of wind/small rolling hills), 6:29, 6:30(another hill), 6:07(I have no idea how I pulled this mile so fast?), 6:23(switch back hill), 6:17, 6:12, 5:59(.25 down hill, mostly flat I was ready to be done), 5:45 last .1
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