broke out the old racing shoes today for a 1 o clock start time, a very odd race start, but a welcome one given this time of year. weather was great today, 60 degrees, although it was a bit windy. I knew this course had a monster hill during the 2nd mile so i knew id ha e to be on top of my game today. My buddy Andrew won this one last year and he was there again this year so i met up with him for a warmup. felt pretty good, but was a little shakey from lack of food (not only from the late race start but the fact that it felt an hour later since daylight savings time was last night. I shrugged it off and got to the line and they fired the gun. I got out well and blazed the first mile in 5:24, i led after about 400 meters and could hear Andrew behind me til about 1.5. Hauled up the hill and was happy at the minimal drop off in effort, felt quite strong. Even with the downhill, the 2nd mile was still a 5:53 ish, hill was just too much. I let it all go the last mile cuz i felt wonderful, my legs were very fresh and my pace was smooth, hit the last mile in about 5:18-5:20 as my last 1.1 was 5:53. crossed the line 30 seconds ahead of Andrew who was 2nd in the field of about 300. Overall, i felt great. On a flat course today, I would have set a PR, no doubt about it. Given my splits, i gave about 30 seconds back on that hill which is understnadable given its size and duration. that being said a 17:09 on this course in the wind today is a very good time, and i am kind of bummed there was no flat races around--story could have been a lot different. had enough left at the end to run through the line and then had a nice cool down where I could have gone 5-10 miles but ended up going 2.5 to make it back in time for awards. I won free iowa state fair passes next year, a parking pass, and 2 front row tickets to any grandstand concert of my choice (pretty good value as they get pretty good bands!). Gonna keep riding this peak as the rash of mileage ive put up lately is definitely helping me. that marathon was a springboard for faster 5ks, the distance feels very short now.
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