I thought sure I had a rock in this race based on last year's times. But then we had a few track teams show up and Toni and Karl. So I switched to my original strategy - stick with the leader no matter what, then when I recover consciousness, jog it in to the finish. So I jammed it in there with the lead pack and sprinted up the first switchback, in about 10th or so. They were already pulling ahead, but they all missed the turn! Hee hee. I was momentarily in first again but they only lost about 50 feet or so and so they all passed me in short order. I maintained distance until the grizzly hill, then they all began to pull away and I was passed by Summer and Amber and somebody else. But the top came soon enough and I began to grind forward at 6:10 on the flat, first picking off the guy that passed me and then Amber with another guy, putting me into 8th or so. About half the people missed the turn to the Mario Kart and ended up running though the weeds, they got redirected for a short extra loop after the meadow to make up distance. I got waaayy ahead of Amber and the other two guys, and started getting close to the next group so I really jammed it on the final downhill but could not quite seal the deal. 1:27 PR though! (from 2010) Then Toni dragged me on a nice easy run down-canyon to the water fountain. Then he decided we should run sixes back up it. Ow! No master! Please have mercy! I almost made it but not quite :) Maybe I'll go on a short run this afternoon to make it 50 for the week.
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