Much I could say about this race, and yet it seems to occasion little comment. (Also, my browser quit and my report was getting long even though the original had a similar opening).
I underestimated my fitness for this race, but I ran perhaps the best race I've run so far. Before I begin, I would also like to thank/apologize to the Rodin Museum for my use of its bushes.
The rich chocolatey goodness from my Timex (beautiful, simple device it is): 5:55, 5:52 +8 (I think I bumped the split button or double fired, so 6 flat), 6:01, 11:49 (miles 4 and 5, had to wave to Megan, missed mile 4, so 5:55ish average), 5:59, 5:56, 6:02.5 (just so I have nothing above 6:02), 6:02. 5:57, 5:51, 5:59, 5:51, 37 seconds. Not sure what happened at end because I definitely kicked faster than 6:10 if I was running 5:51.
The first mile was fast according to pre-race plan, but perfect effort. I knew I was in for a good day at mile 1-2. The first 4 miles felt easy on the approproate effort scale and I really felt comfortable until 10-11 and didn't really start dying until mile 12-12.75, which probably means my effort was close to ideal because I started to really feel it at that point.
Around miles 6-8 I was running with a woman and a few dudes. She politely asked that someone else take the pace, so I said "Thank you. I got you." I went in front our pack for a little bit, but she apparently didn't like my pacing because she pulled out in front of me again. (Fine. I tried. I can tell you are struggling. Have a nice race). She was getting advice from a dude on a bike who I thought was race support, but I think he was a friend and he started to annoy me. He said we were on 1:18 pace, and I was sure we were at least on 1:18, but I couldn't tell high/llow. I dropped her around mile 11 or 12.
Tangents were't great I am guessing though mile 8-10 and mile 12 (winding, but not difficult if you know how to navigate), but I did my best (I'm working on a theory about tangents and race perception, incidentally). Got some encouragement from a guy who came up behind me and who ran just in front of me into the finish. I'll post a photo of me patting him on the back when I figure out how. I was very happy to see that I was near the 13 mile mark, but not to hear guy who encouraged us "you're almost home, just uphill to the finish." (It's a slight grade as it turns out). I could see the clock ticking 1:17:42 and knew I had 5 seconds for the chip but still ran with what I had left. I think I crossed at 1:17:55 or :56, with a chip time of 1:17:50. A PR of 3 minutes and 35 seconds (not to be too exact).
3 mile cool down, followed by some walking and a ridiculous brunch w/ mimosas w/ Megan.
I have one more key race this fall, at which I will mount an assault on the 75-76 minute mark.
Thanks to the blog community and Sasha. This space makes me a better runner and better person.
(I have no idea how to embed pics)
https://plus.google.com/photos/114497105256921785165/albums/5924437984633666753
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