So the conditions were the nastiest I have ever experienced for a race. There was somewhere between 1-3 inches of snow on the ground for a good part of the race, with snow still falling. As Tom and I were warming up we adjusted our expectations due to the bad weather. It looked like 92 splits were more than we could hope for. The amount of participants kept rolling in (there were just over 100 preregistered, which sounded like good odds for me). I saw a couple of fast girls, at least one of whom was one of the top BYU runners, Rena Chesser (sp?). Tom said the other fast girl had beat him in his last 5k by about 30 seconds so I knew she was going to be trouble too. It turned out the race was NOT a net downhill either, started and stopped at the same place, so no luck there either.
My best friend Lupita came to wish me luck and I appreciate her support.
So, here's the quarter by quarter analysis:
1 - 1:47, uphill, very slushy and snowy, Tom led this quarter
2 - 1:44, still a little uphill, still very slushy and snowy, I led, Tom kept hitting my shoes like I wasn't going fast enough! (I know I wasn't but the conditions were bad). In this quarter I realize there are no girls ahead of me, but can hear ladies behind).
3 - 1:34, a little downhill, Tom led, ladies appear in this quarter I believe (Rena and MaryAnn). I am already feeling some fatigue but try to stay relaxed.
4 - 1:34, downhill, I lead and suspect Tom is falling behind since he said "Go Michelle", Rena and MaryAnn are with me).
5 - 1:34, with MaryAnn and Rena, Tom didn't take the quarter so I know he's gone for now. Trying to stay tough and give these ladies a race.
6 - 1:22 best downhill section, trying to break the ladies on the downhill, took the lead, tried to run aggressively, drafting behind a truck in the main UVSC roundabout
7 - 1:29 flat roads clearer in the next two/three quarters, Rena catches up and passes me, I try to hang close, but not terribly successful.
8 - 1:32, flat Rena gains some distance on me, I try to focus on one quarter at a time, I tell myself it's going to hurt whether I run stinky or well for this quarter
9 - 1:36, slightly uphill, This is where I guess I gave up chasing after Rena, but tried not to fall apart
10 - 1:40, slightly uphill, Roads are slushy and slick again, Rena's probably 10 seconds ahead. She runs in the snow and I run in the slicker tracks where cars have driven, figuring, hey, it might possibly give me an advantage.
11 - 1:42, worse uphill, still slush and muck, trying to stay somewhat in the game
12 - 1:48 how did this split happen? I thought I was staying strong to the end but obviously was not. And part of this split was downhill (still snow/slick).
.04 (I measured whole race 3.04 but could be gps off) 15 sec - 5:51 pace this was the proudest part of my race! (J/K). I did see I was close to my Cougar Run 5K time and tried to push it in, but still came out a little slower (I think it was a 19:36).
total time 19:41, 6:21 ave pace
I think my performance was decent for the conditions. I think with a little more mental toughness I could have kept with Rena and given her a better race. I need to work on not conceding races unnecessarily. I wish we could have had clear roads so I could have gone for the sub 19 goal though. Will post picture of tu-tu shortly.
Totals so far for shoes:
Asics - 317.25
Mizuno - 320
So it appears I am doing a pretty good job rotating my shoes.
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