Had a great time at the race, didn't get a PR but did put in a good effort and was able to hold things together. Weather was very nice, except for a little bit of wind. Race started just as it was starting to get light out. We arrived early enough that I was able to get in a pretty good two mile warm up. Before the race, Chris Lauber, the race director told everyone to enjoy the views while up on the bridges. Race started right on time and we were off. My plan was to make sure and get the first mile in under 7:00 (which would bring us to the top of the first bridge), then try and get to a 6:30 pace going down the bridge and hang on with 6:30's for the rest of the race. First mile went well and it almost felt easy for a short time. Made it to the top of the bridge with a 6:43 first mile (although the garmin mile was a little short of the marker, I'd catch it up next mile if it was still off). Took in the view at the top before heading down. Got onto a nice pace and made the second mile in 6:27, but still off with the mile marker, another 9 seconds to catch up. Next mile was flat but I was having some difficulty getting to the pace I wanted. The 4th mile included the first time over the Sand Key bridge, it was a little harder than I remembered, slowed down a lot more than I wanted to, and then tried to make it up on the way down but ended up with 7:01 pace. Just after the bridge, at about 4.5 miles was the aid station manned by my running group, the Suncoast Striders, they were especially helpful and really lifted my spirits and helped me get back on track to get a 6:39 pace. I felt hopeful now. Next mile and a half was a meandering route through Sand Key park before going back on the main road. Next few miles were pretty good. Felt a slight morale boost at the turnaround (about 7.5 miles), but also felt some wind. Mile 9 I seemed to slip a little bit off pace (6:58), then had another boost as I went past the Striders water stop before having to ascend up Sand Key bridge one more time. Another tough run up the bridge, this time really getting hit by some wind, tried to make up some more time on the way down but managed only 7:12, made sure to enjoy the view again, it looked like it was going to be a nice day out, could see out into the Gulf and across the intra-coastal waterway.
Fortunately mile 11 went pretty well and I managed 6:44, so I wasn't done yet. I looked at my total time and new I still had a chance at getting under 1:30. I kept on looking for the Clearwater bridge because I thought I'd be able to see it from a distance. Just as I saw the mile 12 sign I saw the bridge. It looked taller now. I was excited to get up to the top because then it was all down hill from there. Going up it was tough, more wind, I tried not to let my pace go slower than 7:30. Finally hit the top and now it was time to make back some time. Picked up some speed and ran down the helix as best I could then onto the straight part. At the bottom of the bridge I could hear some one coming up behind me. I surged a bit and thought I might hold him off, but then he surged again and this time I didn't match it. I got passed one last time. Ran the last 0.1 under 6:00 pace. As I approached the clock I could see I was going to make it, and I did, with 1:29:52 on the clock (1:29:48 chip time). Splits: 6:43, 6:27 (+:09 adjust), 6:44, 7:01, 6:39 (+:08), 6:41 (+:09), 6:47, 6:44, 6:58, 7:12, 6:44, 6:58, 6:52, 0:54 (0.15 @ 5:56)
My son cut off my chip for me (both boys came out to cheer us on and ended up helping out at the finish line with chips and medals). Went back to the bottom of the bridge and cheered on Jenny as she came in with another big PR for her of 1:44:40 (4 minute PR!). Chris introduced himself to me and we chatted a bit, nice to finally meet him. Ended up with second place for my age group. It was a lot of fun with the racing, seeing friends, Jenny's PR and seeing the kids do their first race volunteering. Ended up with nice weather also.
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