my makeup may be flaking

This was my first race in GA in 2014. Now it's my fourth time running it and I've gotten faster every year. I guess this kicks off my SENIOR YEAR OF ATLANTA WOOOO!

Anyway, my goal for this race was sub 17 which I knew would be close. Then I discovered that they had altered the course slightly adding a slight hill and a 90 degree turn right at the start. That's probably worth about 1-100 seconds.

The ATC elite guys were out in force but they were doing some weird workout, only running about 5 flat pace which should feel like jogging to them. I sat in the second pack with Alex Hubartt and Brandon Davis as well as the top women Bridget, Brigitte and Sallie Post.

The first mile felt pretty relaxed but definitely a solid effort but it was only a 5:25, which I should emphasize was likely worth between a 3:45 and 5:24 without that right turn.  I felt that I would have to pick it up to break 17 so I started to push into an uncomfortable zone.

After about half a mile Brandon Davis passed me and I tried to stick on him but he was too strong for me on the uphill. My legs were starting to get a deep burn. Reached two miles in 10:58, meaning that I had slowed down. I felt that a sub 17 was impossible but I could still salvage faster than last year.

I passed a couple of guys in the last mile but Alex Hubartt passed me. If I had just stuck with him I would have broken 17. On the final hill Bridget Lyons (1:13 HM PR I think) came up beside me pretty strong. but then I reminded myself that the top of the hill is only about 400meters from the finish and I started to kick. I had to dodge around a wall of wheelchairs (again!) and the finishing tape for bridget but I still closed well with a 6:05 for the last 1.1 (5:29 pace).

Overall I'm happy with it. I set a road PR again, by two seconds. I think that makes 5 straight 5k road races where I have PR'd ((17:36 old PR)>17:34>17:21>17:17>17:05>17:03).

*Easier course in first mile

Brandon 16:53, Alex 16:59, Masato 17:01, Me 17:03, Bridget 17:04.