500 Festival Mini Marathon (aka "Indy Marathon", aka "Half Marathon"). This was my 3rd time running this race, and I was hoping this would be the year to break the Top 10. Not be, as 10 Kenyans broke 1:05. Unusual depth this year, and I had my lowest finish (18th), despite running my fastest time (1:07:25).
So I did get a course best, which is a positive, but over a minute off my PR, which is a negative. We had a decent day to run, with temps right around 50 degrees, but about a 10-15 mph breeze at some points. Fortunately, the last couple miles had a net tailwind, otherwise I think my finish would have been worse.
Never really felt sharp at any point durng this race. Startws out right behind Jake, but then I let him go after 2 miles, as I was happy with opening in 10:04 2-mile and did not want any faster. Was 15:45 at 5K, then slowed a bit...next 5K was 15:58, and the following 5K in 16:02 (15K spit was 47:45). Just hung on the last 4 four miles, but coudn't make up much ground, other than passing blown-up Kenyans jogging it in, and a couple local runners. Another positive was -that no one passed me during the race.
I got within 3 seconds of Jake at Mile 7, but then he pulled away as we left the Speedway, and ended up about 25 seconds ahead at the finish. But I did beat one of the guys that beat me at Horsetooth 3 weeks ago, so I'll take that as improvement at least.
I was surprised to only be 18th with the time I had; while not stellar, sub-1:08 is usually good for top 10...but not even close this year. Apparently the Kenyans all got the memo about the $3500 cash prize, and the winner was 1:01:50-ish, with 6 total under 1:03. Usually the race is won with a low 1:03. I think I was the 4th American.
My right quad starting hurting at 1 mile in, which is crazy, since I haven't had any quad issues and did not feel it any other day. It hurt more as the race went on, but just kind of dealt with it...but was hobbling during the cooldown until it loosened up. My left leg feels like it did a moderate workout and my right leg feels like it ran St George. Weird.
So not a great race, did not feel sharp or good at any point in time, but not a disaster either. It's a course best, so I'll have to take that. Got 7 weeks until Grandmas, and I do think I'm on the right trajectory, it's just a matter of getting the mileage and quality workouts during that time, and I think it can be a pretty good marathon.
Splits: 5:02, 5:02, 5:10, 5:00, 5:17, 5:06, 5:03, 5:14, 5:06, 5:22, 5:04, 5:13, 5:13, 0:29
The wind affected the variability of splits! Every other mile was slow...
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