This was supposed to be a long training run heading into my HM two weeks from now.  My PR is 1:36:05, set two weeks ago on a flat course.  Today's goal was 1:39:59, just to get below 1:40 again.

I ran 1:36:41

4 / 32 M40-44

27 / 348 OA

Here is the elevation profile:

Warm up was one mile of easy and strides.  Given the elevation profile, naturally I started this one fast.  I lined up about three rows deep.

1 - 6:46

2 - 6:55 - Lots of heroes flying past me on these downhill miles.  Nice job, guys.  See you in a few miles.

3 - 6:58

4 - 7:11

5 - 7:07 - Flattening out a little and I am not pushing hard.  HR was around 170.  Comfortably hard.

6 - 7:15 - 10K split was 43:30.  Six seconds off a 10K PR.

7 - 7:17

8 - 7:24 - OK, 8 miles through this thing and I estimated I was about 90 seconds under my PR.  Fock it, I'm going for it.

9 - 7:42- Gave back some time.

10 - 7:49 - Gave back more time.  Trying not to but the gentle uphills were just enough to slow me down.  I passed lilac_jive around this point and introduced myself mid-race.  We high fived and I was on my way.  She had a PR going herself.  

11 - 7:33 - Chick I was leapfrogging since mile 3 shifted into another gear and took off.  She beat me by 60 seconds.

12 - 7:27 - Starting to think my PR will fall by 30 seconds or so, but I also knew this race has an uphill finish.

13 - 8:30 - Holy shit that uphill was worse than I thought and I lost a minute on it.  This hill cost me the PR.  Look at it on the profile.  Damn.

13.1 - 7:39 pace.  Smiling and jogging through the finish chute.

I had plenty of gas left in the tank after this race.  I would have gunned it more the first half and taken more advantage of the downhills if this was a goal race.  As it is, I am wholly focused on Hartford in two weeks.  I certainly gave it more effort in the second half and am happy with my splits given the uphill profile.  Overall I'm very happy with this race, given I held back a little and I trained through it.  A PR in two weeks is looking good.

MBC ran this too and it was her debut.  As she would say, "I finished!"    I'm proud of her.  She'll tell you more if she feels so inclined.  

Our group went out for burgers and nachos after.   (lilac_jive, MBC, Oski, Mr Oski)

cross posted again for the attention needy

We got medals.  PIG.

MtnBikerChickie!

One of the more scenic portapotty lines I've stood in (cousin Keith looking at the camera)

And the damn shirts are not gender specific.

At least they are pink?

Congrats MBC on your first half! I am glad I got to cheer for you!

Phil, next year I am going to make you wait for the awards though! You almost placed!

 

At least they are pink?

 

Congrats MBC on your first half! I am glad I got to cheer for you!

 

Phil, next year I am going to make you wait for the awards though! You almost placed!

I thought the age groups were 10 years, so I figured I wasn't that close.  I was still over two minutes from placing.  I would have been bummed though to find out I missed out on AG award cookies!

Nice run Phil.

That looks like a damn building at the end!  You get a rope in your goodie bag?

Good stuff as usual, where else are you posting this?

Great job, Phil, especially considering this was hillier.

Congrats, MBC, on your first!

Well done. You showed impressive restraint not to race it from the start.