Weather - 32 degrees, clouds, windy.
Arrived at the race site at 9:20am, race time was 10:30. After registering I ran an easy 2 mile warm-up, I decided to skip doing accelerations because the 9 mile race distance would give my legs sufficient time in the early miles to find the proper speed tension. The course was a bit windy, there was light snow falling, but I found it to be not uncomfortable. I decided to wear shorts, 3 shirts, hat and gloves. When the race started I could not get my watch started, so I peeled off a glove and finally got it going, so I had to remember throughout the race that it was about 20 seconds off race time. The course is a 5k loop with 3 steep hills. My strategy was to run the first loop moderately, hoping to hit the first 5k in 22:00. One person passed me in the first 400M, and I reminded myself that the 10k runners were mixed with the 15k, so not to be surprised if I got passed during the 2nd loop. I felt strong and loose, I felt the pace was sufficient to hit 22:00, and it felt like an easy run. I did not want to push harder because I knew I would need a lot of energy for the third loop. Hit the first 5k in 21:30, and considering how easy it felt I was not worried that I was going too fast. During the 2nd loop I passed a number of people, but reminded myself to keep the pace consistent, so as to have something left for the final 5k. At the 9k mark I knew I was going to be able to hold a good pace for the remainder of the 2nd loop, and two thoughts occurred to me - "if I don't drop a 26:00 5k in the final loop I'm going to be fine", and "monitor how I feel at the start of the final loop". I was paranoid about the final 5K because last year I died at the end of the race, running a final 5k in 26:00. Just before reaching the steepest hill at the end of the second loop I saw Ken Welle flying down the hill, already having started his 3rd loop. He waved to me, and I shouted "Go Ken!". He was about 400M ahead of me, so I knew I would not be able to catch him. He is in monster shape for Boston, and is obviously at the peak of his training, so I knew it was wise not to try to run his pace. At the turn around I checked my watch and was at 43:00, so I had run the 2nd loop in the same time as the first, 21:30. I was starting to feel a bit tired, and my quads were becoming fatigued, but I had a lot of running energy left, and my lungs and heart were in good shape. I felt I had a chance to maintain the same pace for the 3rd loop. I was running up the hills moderately slow, but flying the downhills, I think I have a talent for downhill running, I can go full force with no breaking, while other people around me can't seem to pull the trigger. I passed a number of people on the downhills, and surprisingly I had still not been passed since the first 400m. With 1.5 miles to go I felt I was going to make it, my stride was not breaking, I was tired, but maintaining my composure. There was nothing much to the end of the race, I ran evenly paced, and there was nobody ahead or behind me to challenge, so I cruised home in 1:04:52, meaning I ran the last 5K in 21:52, a slight drop in pace, but still better than the 22:00 split I had planned for. They handed me a trophy as I stumbled out of the finish chute, which said I was in 15th place. There were 214 15k runners, so I was at 7%, which is better than my usual 15-20% finishing place. My overall impression for this race is that it is one of my best efforts at a distance greater than 5k. I ran the 7.5 mile Lake Run last year, which was a flat road course, averaging 7:00 pace . Todays race was a more difficult course, in moderately difficult weather conditions, with a longer distance by almost 2 miles, and my average pace was 6:57. The race was peculiar because I felt I never opened up my pace, every mile was run in moderation, yet I still ran a quick pace when compared to last year's races. I can't deny I am getting into good shape, but I feel I am not even close to my top racing form. I have done only 3 or 4 hard sessions so far this year, once I get in 12-15 speed sessions, I should be able to run faster. Last year I ran this race in 1:10:57, so I PR'ed the course by over 6 minutes. This gives me confidence for upcoming races. #127 z.m. - #41
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