What a great day for a race. Mostly sunny, 40 degrees and calm at the start. Maybe mid 50's by race end. This race is flat. I drove up to Indy with Gordon, Shawn, and Dave that I've been training with in Somerset. Joseph Bell met us at the Hotel before the start. After blowing up at Chicago, my goals were a little more realistic this time around. I just wanted to secure a BQ (2017). I wanted to stay with the 3:15 pace group for 16 to 20 miles and then break away hopefully finishing before them. That has been the best proven plan for me. We headed to the start line which was just a few city blocks away. We kind of all got seperated which was fine because we were going to be in 4 different corals.
Miles 1 through 4: 7:10, 7:16, 7:20, 7:20 I take a gel about 10 minutes before the start. Kind of a crazy start, probably not much different then normal, but it seemed like there were runners with a variety ability levels mixed together in my coral. I tried to just settle into my 7:25 mpm pace. I was passing lots of runners and being passed. We are downtown amongst many spectators and there is lots of crowd noise. Again, just trying to do my thing. I take a gel at mile 3.
Mile 5 through 8: 7:20, 7:20, 7:26, 7:22 I strike up a conversation with the pace leader. He lived in Indianapolis and sold bicycle parts. He new Kevin from the local bicycle shop in Somerset. We were headed up through a nice business district. Again, the race here is flat. Legs feel good. I take another gel at 6 miles.
Miles 9 through 12: 7:20, 7:22, 7:20, 7:25 The halfers split in this segment. Also, there are many long straight flat sections here. I take another gel at 9 and 12. I notice that there are still lots of runners around, but its quiet. No ones telling jokes or stories, No real crowd support for long stretches. Everyone is kind of in their own world. Right now, I'm just logging the miles.
Miles 13 through 16: 7:25, 7:19, 7:25, 7:23 We go through the half mark at 1:36:21, about a minute ahead of pace. Take another gel at 15 miles in. The only real hills along the course starts mile 16. Still only 25 feet or so of elevation change.
Miles 17 through 20: 6:54, 6:58, 7:08, 7:17 I break from the group at this time. By this time, I'm thinking I'll be able to catch the 3:10 group. I take gels at 17.5 and 20. We wind through an artsy area and Butler Univeristy. I'm feeling pretty good, but I did get a bit of an odd twitch in my right calf muscle around this time. nothing that I wasn't able to shake off.
Miles 21 through 24: 7:09, 7:32, 7:42, 7:42 By this time I'm really thinking that I made my break a little early. The plan was to run 7 flat from 16 miles on out. The sun is bothering me a little even though the temps are not bad (probably 50 degrees or so). Even at a 7:30 pace, I'm passing people which is always encouraging. I take a gel at 22 miles to stay in the game.
Miles 25 26 and Finish: 8:00, 7:48, 1:32 Right now, I'm mentally struggling. 8mpm was not in the plan. I can see downtown and crowd support is helping. I never saw the 3:10 group like I thought I might. Just not in the cards today. Knowing that 3:15 is my BQ keeps me going. I finish feeling very worn, but still moving well. 3:13:33 Not a PR but a much needed 'good' race
First Half: 1:36:21
Second Half: 1:37:12
BQ :)
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