Notes
As expected, just couldnt bounce back from the marathon. First mile felt fine but then just couldnt keep pace. HFC took an early lead with the first three spots followed by me and Pick.
Mile 2 features a nice slight downhill stretch, although also includes the start of the hill on the way back. I lost too much pace on what should be a nice fast mile. It wasnt my slowest mile but given the elevation drop, should have been a time similar to the first. During the downhill is where Greg passed me and put on a few second gap. The lead HFC guy also broke away from the rest of their pack and put up a nice gap. The order never changed at this point through the finish.
Mile 3 was slowest as expected due to the hill. Not a steep hill, but long enough that it takes something out of you. Looking back, still should have been faster even with the hill. I unfortunately settled for maintaining the even gap between me and Pick ahead of me. Rather than acknowledging our declining pace and using it as an opportunity to reel Pick in, I kept the status quo. Wouldnt have brought me significantly lower in time, but perhaps 5-10 seconds.
Nice down out there though, a little warm but much of the course is shaded. Rain cleared out well in advance of the race.