Finally did a race I have always wanted to do tonight. It was a long drive (3+ hours) but it was worth it--it was one of the few races that is an afternoon start, which I love because I run better in the afternoons/evenings. For future reference, normal coffee and breakfast followed by a turkey sandwich on white bread about 11:40. Took a half a GU before starting the race. My 14 year old brother came to the race with me and he ran xc this year, but hadn't really been training since and he still managed a 22:28, so he was pretty happy with that--3rd in AG. I started out pretty solidly, hitting my first mile in 5:25, followed with the 2nd mile in 5:43 (11:08), then finished up the rest in 6:29, 5:50 +39 probably, clocked a 17:38 overall. I had chances in the last mile to catch the 2nd place guy but did not have the kick. I got to within a few seconds of him but he ended up beating me by 10 seconds overall. I took 3rd place, a result I am content with. I feel pretty overcooked in terms of training--having been on this cycle since June--my legs just don't have quite the pop left and that is understandable-- I can usually get 5 months on a cycle and I've stretched every last bit of this one. One week left, gonna get a few more races in and then reset. Going to try to not eat wings the night before as well as my nutrition wasn't geat the last few days.
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