3.3 warm up from Eric's house downtown to the Steeple Chase 8K course where the "race" would begin. We met up with 6 other runners and the race was on. On the line between me and Eric was who would buy the post run chocolate shake.
1 mile split was 5:45 with Eric and I running side by side. Eric doesn't normally go out this fast but has great finishing stregnth, so my strategy was to try and gap him early on and hope I could hold him off. I went through 2 miles at 11:52 having put a little distance between us. At the hairpin turn around 2.75 I was able to get a good look at the lead I had on him. I was maintaining it but by no means increasing it.
3 mile split @ 18:22 worried me a little, I knew if it declined any further Eric would easily catch me up. The 4th mile has the big climb up the overpass over the tracks. I knew I would need to work hard on it and appoaching it I felt a little resurgence of strength. At the top I took advantage of the down slope and the decending turn that takes you under the overpass to the 4 mile mark. 24:59 at 4 miles.
The last almost mile is rolling terrain that makes you work. I refused to look back to check on Eric's progress, I didn't hear him so I figured I was in good shape. At the last right turn onto the finish straightaway, I did glance over my shoulder to see Eric far enough down the road that I knew I was safe. I didn't bag it in but kept up a strong finish run to hopefully make a respectable time. I crossed the line in 31:23 with my legs letting me know that it had been a while since I had run speed.
I had officially raced this course back in the spring in 30:02. Since then it has all been ultra training to prepare for the RAA. Feels good to run fast again. 5K race coming up on the 14th, The Midnight Run. | 