Warmed up at home on the TM for 3 miles and then headed over to New Haven for a 20K. Had difficulty finding parking and by the time we got all 6 kids with the dog situated, we were 9 minutes to start. I was running a 20k and my wife a 5k. Couldn't get my legs loose, so hope they'd warm up within the first few times. Introductions, National Anthem, and we were off right on time. Here are my splits...
Mile 1: 6:22 (legs stiff, but breathing was fine)
Mile 2: 6:32 (slight uphill, can't get legs loose, yet time was surprisingly good)
Mile 3: 6:36 (slight up/down, legs stiff, yet felt as though I was getting into a groove)
Mile 4: 6:35 (slight downhill, continue to be happy with the time)
Mile 5: 6:45 (slight up/down- right at my goal pace)
Mile 6: 6:50 (legs haven't gotten loose, decide to pick it up a tad)
Mile 7: 6:40 (no hills, getting warmer outside, concentrating on form)
Mile 8: 6:50 (slight uphill, still happy with time)
Mile 9: 7:03 (Mostly slight uphill, held position, happy with time)
Mile 10: 7:06 (Signficant uphill portion, passed a few runners, thrilled w/time)
Mile 11: 6:56 (100% downhill, lossed concentration, just cruised and shocked at how slow my pace was...legs were tight, but no excuse for slowing down so much on such a giving stretch)
Mile 12: 6:48 (Had to pick up my concentration level/form, legs were stiff, yet breathing very easy)
Last .40: 6:30 (Not a ton in the tank, yet finished solid)
Overall, I happy with my race. This was a pr for this particular course by just over a minute. I was especially pleased to do well on a day in which my legs just wouldn't seem to loosen up. Pace was still comfortable and I was never at all challenged with my breathing. I feel in position to really push the next couple months towards a strong marathon. Came in 214 out of 2200 runners (23rd for age). My wife ran the 5k in 25:26, pr'ing by about a minute as well and also placing 23rd in her age group. I guess neither one of us has bragging rights today.
Ran 4.5, including 2 w/my 12-year-old daughter who's run 3 times in the past week. She's improved from a 21-minute run to an 18:41 today. She'll be starting cross-country this Fall. | 