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Notes

Going out felt pretty good. I started somewhat conservative and was able to move up as the leg went on. The downhills definitely helped although not with my confidence of running back the opposite direction. I was up with the leaders and I think I was 5th or 6th coming into the end of the leg. I didn't realize this before but you get your donuts about 50 meters or so before the donut eating station. Had to go for a bit then round a corner and stop in front of the Krispy Kreme. I used this as an opportunity to slow down and get my breathing easy and slow to prepare for the eating. I also managed to crack open the box before I stopped running and started the eating.

Got to the eating station, no tables to eat at so I had to crouch on the ground. Grabbed myself a couple of cups of water and started right away. First donut wasn't that clean of an eat but made it work with sipping water as I ate. I got myself into the rhythm of crushing my next donut and putting it into the cup. I didn't want to soak too long so I only soaked one at first. Then I found my eating was too fast to only soak one at a time so I started soaking two. Seemed to be sufficient for me. The KK donuts were definitely smaller than dunks but not as much as I'd hoped. However, I could still fit more than half a donut per bite into my mouth so the whole thing made it in there pretty quickly. Pretty even donut eating, never got fatigued stomach-capacity-wise. Lighter donuts + the buffet yesterday seem to have paid off. Finished my 12 donuts in a record-for-me 5:27 and with that I was off for the final leg.

Felt the donuts immediately in my stomach when starting out, but strangely it went away after only 100-200m. I think the adrenaline and the fact that I was in contention made my body forget it was lugging around 12 too many donuts in its stomach. With the donuts plus the uphills and given my current shape I'd say the 5:23 pace was pretty damn good. It was a long painful push but man was I motivated. Passed probably 3 or 4 people on the way back kinda early on and flew by them too. Kept pushing hard after that. Eventually I could see the next person in front of me but they were still pretty far ahead. Had a very strong effort on the last straight section of road to the finish and had a strong kick. Couldn't believe seeing 31 low on the clock when I came in. Way surpassed my expectations. Not only time, but place too - 4th overall!! Fuck yeah!!

Really really happy with this race. Running was good enough and I delivered the goods on the eating part. Looking back now I know I have a lot of improvement to make in both areas but for my first time in this race I couldn't be much happier. I'm already thinking about goals for next year, I want to be sub-30 minutes with sub-4 minutes in the donut eating time. With a winning time of 30:15 this year, an extra minute in the donut eating could have gotten me the W. If I can get myself to low-25 8k shape or better by next year and have a sub-4 minute donut time or better I could blow this race out of the water. Can't wait for those NH Krispy Kremes to open up this year cause I have some practicing to do!