This race went very well for me today. All my little aches and pains did not slow me down and according to the predictor I ran what I should have based on my 5K. Negative split too, I was 32:12 at the turn around and finished the 2nd half in 32:01. I was so happy to be holding my pace at the end of the race, mantras help for sure. I was in a nice little group that held together until the turn around, benefited from a little drafting but we all scattered at the turn around. It was just me and my mantra bringing it home. No one passed me and I passed no one. 7:00 7:02 6:49 6:48 6:49 6:59 6:54 6:50 6:54 2:08 (7:08) When I woke up I was delighted to see that the overnight snow did not stick to the roads. I brought a pair of trail shoes just in case. All week long I expected to be racing on a snow packed road and I was hoping beyond hope that there at least would not be wind. The day exceeded my expectations, the road was clear and the wind was mild. This race, and this series for that matter are key to my training. I alternate 20 miles runs with the race series over a 7 week period. 20 miler, race, 20 miler, race, 20 miler, race and another 20 miler next Saturday. I'm satisfied with my performance in this year's series. I course PR'd all three races, which I expected to given the amount of training I've been doing. I know I can run a little faster with some tapering but loading up the mileage was more important. Boston is my goal race! No more races for me until Boston. Well, maybe a St. Patrick's Day 5K.
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