Second mile up Old Greenwood really, really sucked. Other than that, I did OK, although it felt like I really didn't get warmed up until the 5K mark. Plan was to run with Rose. That lasted less than a half mile; she ran off and left me. Staci and Lionel did too, but I caught Staci around the 5K mark. Rose and Staci both won their AGs. I, uh, didn't, but it would have taken a 45-second PR just to get a medal, so I don't feel so bad about it. Lionel is in my AG too and he didn't get a medal either. I tried to go out a little conservatively, try to save some energy. I think the plan overall worked OK, except I just didn't push that second mile up the hill enough while I was still warming up. Weather was perfect -- 45, sunny, very little wind, not an issue at all. Then, at the top of the hill with my legs finally in gear, I hit the gas. Mile splits coming home per Garmin (which was reading about 2% long) were 7:51, 7:49, 7:42, and then hauled tail down the hill to the finish at 6:35 pace. I blame that on race rustiness. Haven't raced enough to do anything. This was my first real race since Russellville in February. Stockholm was in no way a race for me. Another 10K in Hot Springs in four weeks. Hopefully I'll be in better shape with better strategy and at least get under 48, although this HS course seems to be pretty similar as far as a long uphill to start and then downhill to the finish. I'll just have to run the uphill harder -- and smarter. | 