7:30 race this morning. The temp was 32 deg on the way down to Smithfield. Not sure what the temp was at the start of the race but at least it was warmer than the other mornings this week that have been anywhere from 18 to 27 deg. Got free entry for winning my age group last year. I ran 2 miles warmup and was ready to go. The first half of the race climbs up Smithfield Canyon [around 230 feet] then turn around and run right back down to the start. I hit the first mile in 6:35 then the second was 6:21. It seemed like the second should have been faster since it was only 1/2 uphill. 3rd mile was 5:38. I picked it up pretty good the last .1 and when I got close enough to see the clock it read 18:50. I went all out the last 10 seconds to come in under 19 min and it was turning 19 just as I crossed the line. My watch also said 19:00 flat but it wasn't chip timed and they had me at 19:01. I was pleased with that time on a tough course and I never really felt like I pushed it all that hard and felt pretty relaxed the whole way. Last year I did it in 19:25. I ended up 5th overall and first in 50 to 59 age division [my first race over 50] and free entry for next year. Pm ran another 8 easy miles at 8:29 AP.
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