33:03. It was very humid--of course it's June in DC.It was 72, 69 dew point, 91% humidity at 7:00 am. I knew it would be slow and it would suck but since there was prize money involved I decided to do it. Knowing that the big money would attract fast Africans, I payed for my entry and entered the "open" race. There was separate prize money purse for open and elites. Good thing too since I was able to win $300 in the open division. My time sucked but the course is not easy. It's hilly and there are at least three 180 turn-around cones. I ran just "alright" as I feel I could have run miles 4 and 5 faster had I been smart or in race shape for that matter. Basically it ended up being my half marathon pace.
The start was confusing AF since the race website indicated that the start time was 7:00 am. I went all over the site looking to see if the elite field started in advance of the open field. I could not find any time other than 7:00. When we warmed up everyone was ready at 7:00 then they said they were starting the elite at 7:15 then the open at 7:20. We finally line up and no one could decide whether the elites were doing an advanced start or not and no one knew. The announcer was useless as none of the info about the elite start was being announced. Once the gun went off we just bolted ahead and rant with the elite field.
It felt hot from the get-go. I did not take splits and just ran on feel as it would have been quite demoralizing seeing my splits since I knew I was running slow due to the heat. I basically ran with two Kenyan women elites and watched as male elites began dropping out. One of them puked during the race right in front of me and I almost stepped in it. By mile 4 and 5 it was quite hilly with rolling hills and it got hard.
I had no idea who was elite and who was open but did what I could and my mission was accomplished. I hate seeing a slow time but I ran "alright" and secured the top open prize. Most others also ran slower than normal times. My gambit to enter the open race and pay my entry paid off.
Time to do some mile and 5K training for a few weeks. It's humid AF in this area this time of year.
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