Notes
Interesting race. Got to the line and not too many people wanted to be up front. Josh Metcalf was a bit back from the line -- that didn't make much sense to me. Saw a few guys up there that I didn't think belonged there, but none of my business. Two other guys looked like they could bring it -- that was definitely the case.
As the race started, I got out a little hot to get away from any yahoos that might be getting in the way. Probably 5:30ish through 600 and in the lead (with someone right on my shoulder)? Around 800, the person on my shoulder pulled along side and asked if I was looking to run 5:20s. I said not today, and bid him to go on -- he did and ran away with the race (he ran 38:04 to win by almost 3 minutes). Josh Metcalf then pulled up on me. I know what he can do, so I was just going to let him go if he pushed too hard. Another guy in orange passed me and I wasn't sure about him (Gerad Mead). Trying to hit mile 1 in 5:50 -- pretty good. During Mile 2, I ended up pushing past the guy in orange with a hard move up Dominick hill (and running the tangents -- which I did the whole race).
Now I am just chasing Josh. He is putting on little surges and I am TRYING to stay in contact. Running the tangents as best I can. Still within probably 20 seconds of him going up Puke's Peak when I felt a stitch under my right bottom rib. WTF? I don't get stitches!!! Tried whatever I could think of and got it to let up a bit, but not enough. As we made the turn onto Shady Oak, Josh looked back and shifted into another gear. Did what I could to go with him, but it was a losing battle (he beat me by 29 seconds). Oh well, keep turning em over. At this point I really wasn't paying attention to the pace -- just doing whatever I can to try to maintain the gap between Josh and me. Unfortunately, I must have let up a bit because the guy in orange got me back just past mile 6. UGH -- he made a solid move that I couldn't answer (beat me by 14 seconds).
Just focused on turnover and breathing all the way through the finish. Miles 5 and 6 killed me.
Marginally happy with today's results -- Ran the first 4 miles and the last mile just fine, but the stitch going up Puke's Peak sunk me. Was hoping to be 10 to 15 seconds faster in mile 5 and run mile 6 like I did two years ago (low 5:40s). Only 15 seconds off my PR from two years ago. Unfortunately that wasn't in the cards.