Gun time 1:46:02, 6th place overall.
It was my first "fast" non-ultra, trail race, which I thought I'd try for a change. Great weather for a run. Started out fast as the first mile was either pavement or smooth dirt road as well as most of second mile. Got into an 8:00ish pace with some miles faster. Woman came up behind me and I moved to let her pass me but she said I was good, she followed me for a most of the race and I seemed to go faster because of it. Came close a few times at catching the 5th place guy. Lost him even more when I paused at one of the last turns, not completely sure which way to go. Course was marked much better this year.
Splits - 7:15,7:24,8:08,7:50,8:00,8:03,7:56,7:50,7:38,7:59,8:05,7:50,7:33,4:11 (0.54@7:49).
I don't usually run these paces while at the Croom trails so it felt good to find out I could hold onto a faster than usual pace. The push from the people behind me and in front of me definitely helped. I think I could do better next time knowing now that I can run these paces on the trail, perhaps even faster. But today was about getting my feet wet.
My brother Jim came with me to cheer me on and go for a bike ride while waiting. Nice to see the two Andy's, Patrick, Becky, Jodi, and Josephine.
This is a great event which I highly recommend with three races - 5 miles, half-marathon, and 33 1/3. It was nice for a change to not be running the longest race offered.
13.54 mi, 01:46, 07:48 pace
Warmup - 0.71 mi, 00:07:18, 10:16 pace
