Favorite race of the year today (except for maybe Boston). Local Hillbilly hike HM starting in a nearby town and running to my hometown on a trail I am really familiar with from growing up here. Goal was sub 1:16, but have been feeling a little overcooked lately, and after seeing the race-day forecast I figured it'd be a tough shot. Normal pre-race routine, got a 1.5 warmup and the kept moving to stay warm, 32 degrees and 23 windchill at the start, clear and sunny though, luckily the wind was a cross-wind for most of the race (almost tailwind for a 4 mile segment), so that helped. Got out and was all alone after 1 mile, was completely by myself until I caught some of the 10ker's near the end. Here are my splits:
1- 6:02
2- 5:57 (11:59)
3- 5:53 (17:52)
4- 5:50 (23:42)
5- 5:54 (29:36)
6- 5:58 (35:34), was about 36:43 or so at the 10k, was at like 38:53 at halfway, so goal at that point was to try to stay under 1:18
7- 6:03 (41:37)
8- 6:02 (47:39)
9 - 6:03 (53:42)
10 - 6:03 (59:45, 5:58.5 pace, a good split through 10 miles, not where I was hoping to be, but all things considered I was hanging on
11 - 6:03 (1:05:48)
12 - 6:03 (1:11:51, rattled off 6 extremely consistent miles! kind of crazy actually)
13 - 5:55 (1:17:46)
change - :35 - 1:18:21, 5:59 pace
Overall, I am happy with the effort, when things got tough at about 8 or 9 miles, I could have easily packed it in, after all, I was all alone and there was no chance of catching anyone or losing spots, but I'm proud that I kept fighting and my pace stayed really steady, 4th best half-marathon time of my life, and so also 4th time I've been able to run one under 6:00 pace, so always nice to do that, cooled down only for about 1.3. 3rd pace overall. Not sure what's next but would like to get some shorter races in the next month before breaking before Boston cycle #4
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