sub-3 or blow-up trying

Ran the Litchfield Road Race in our town.  Well over 1500 runners with several elites.  Very humid, yet the sun was covered and it ended up being quite "comfortable" in the high 60's/low 70's temperature wise.  My only goal was to beat last years time and I was able to do it by almost 90 seconds.  The splits will look ridiculously crazy, but much has to do with a huge hill (Gallows/9% grade) at the beginning and end of the race.  There is also a middle section that diverts into the woods with a not so steep, yet steady incline that can take a little out of you as well. 

Mile 1:  5:38 (Going with the adrenaline + downhill...way too fast, yet avoided getting trapped on the first neighborhood street)

Mile 2:  6:30 (Very flat, for most of the mile + a short, steep incline at the end- felt good)

Mile 3:  6:40 (Mostly flat w/barely an incline leading up)

Mile 4:  7:04 (Entering White's Woods- satisfied with this mile, yet not thrilled...ideally could have run 6:50ish with a 6:30 effort)

Mile 5:  7:01 (Felt fine, but completely lost focus...I was just keeping pace with those around me...should have been able to keep 6:45- they were trails, yet mostly flat with even a slight down section)

Mile 6:  6:46 (OK- I still had 6:30 in me, yet was trying to conserve for Gallow's Hill...in hindsite should have just given the 6:30 effort- the hill is slow no matter what)

Last section:  Did not do well on the hill- this was the only section in which people passed me (maybe 2-3 runners- looked like teenagers)- got to the top of the hill and then was able to keep a 6:30 pace until the finish- Final time was 48:06.  With smarter racing may have been able to shave 10-15 seconds, yet am satisfied with the result.

Also, got in a few warm-up miles.