Wow, what a day. Two nights ago, I just could not sleep. It was too bad because our baby has been sleeping like an absolute champ recently for her age. Then in the morning we had to get up super early and travel to Fresno (with a layover! Side note: The Fresno airport is wayyy nicer than Vegas. I feel so much better around pictures of Yosemite than slot machines). Then we woke up really early this morning for our race. Other than the wakeup, it was quite a blessing that our race was put in the morning. The high today is 97! Wow. But on the west coast, the morning will still be nice. It wasn't ideal weather, but I could hardly complain compared to what my teammates will run in tonight. Anyway, right from the start two groups formed. I wasn't going with the group shooting for sub 28, so I fell in line. I was surprised with a couple 29:10 guys in the group that we went pretty slow. To start the race with 70s, you get pretty antsy. Each lap I saw even 70 second pace get farther and farther away, and recognized I would need to kick hard to do well. But I didn't feel good enough to lead it even though the nobody really did, and each lap it got harder and harder. 4:44 at the mile. Threw in a random fast couple laps to be at 9:26 at two miles. That was the last surge I had mid race. I hung on, slogging 70-72s while wondering where my speed was, until things fell apart with six laps to go. I didn't have any idea at the time, but I really fell off right there, running 74, 76, 76, 76, 74 before closing in 68. Ouch. Have big respect for 10K runners. Super bummed, this is my worst race in a long time. Definitely a humbling experience. Made me recognize I'm not the runner I wanted to think I was. So idk what comes next. Now I just get to enjoy the races tonight and get home tomorrow.
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