AM: Beach to Beacon. Pretty good race. I thought a PR (35:42) might be possible but I haven't done much longer LT stuff lately. This is pretty indicative of current fitness. Technically a PR because it's on a certified course. I'll write a bite more when I get time.
7 weeks to Philly RNR and I can run this pace or faster on a good day. This marks 16 weeks to Philly Marathon and I don't think I've gone into a marathon buildup with this base and fitness.
27 minutes up
6.2 race
30 minutes barefoot on the grass cooling down
REPORT
A few months ago I made the crazy goal to break 35 minutes, but I just didn't get there and I realize that goal was lofty without lots of mile repeats cutting down to or below 5:40 pace. As the time got closer, I figured a PR chance would be good.
I saw lots of elites of different levels of fame. Fernando Cabada, Desi, Meb, Gemma Steal, Shalane, Kevin Castille. Saw Mike Popejoy who I knew from Purdue. He didn't get the day he wanted but ran 30:58. I have a great picture of us talking after the race shirtless. I bet I have him by 50+ lbs!
I warmed up from the starting line and CAUGHT a pack of African runners. Now, when Camille Herron says "Kenyan Jog," these gents take easy running very seriously (and if you're reading so should you). I watched them run for a while following them. I'd estimate we were running no faster than 9 minute pace. They had on warm ups and one had a sock hat! It was cool but he must have found it cold.
My race was pretty good. Lost sub-36 in the last mile on the hills, which are not bad but they make a difference in the final mile. The winding short uphills of the long finishing stretch make getting a fast last mile coupled with the hills hard. Decent kick (the 400s at mile pace are working a bit). Maybe should have hit the first mile harder to carry momentum. I'd grade my effort at about an 8, but in photos I have some serious race face in the final stretch so maybe I was right where I should have been.
The rich, chocolatey goodness: 5:45, 5:53, 5:53, 5:47, 5:45, 6:11, 1:04 (~5:05-5:10 pace)
This is 1:40 faster than my 10k in June but that course was hilly (better weather though). I'm going to switch to lots more LT stuff to get in shape to target 75-76 minutes in 7 weeks. I didn't get my chance last fall because I was an idiot and injured myself. Today's race would be 1:16:30 and I made huge improvements from B2B to RnR Philly last year (about 12 seconds faster per mile for the half than the 10k).
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