Notes
Humidity: 87-96%
Feeling more nervous than usual this morning. Didn't sleep well two nights ago, but went to bed before midnight last night and felt decent in the morning. Up at 7:30AM and left by 8AM. Tried to CK moving, but no dice. Got a decent spot on the cambridge side and ran down to the finish area. Ran into the BAA gang and ran down to the first bridge, than back to the start in time for the gun. Still feeling nervous, but looser after the warm-up. Toe ok and no achilles pain. Large contingent of BAA runners with the addition of this year's race to the summer race series. Good to have Pat in the race to pace with.
Started easy, keying of Ephraim, who ran just under 45 last year. 1st mile felt really comfortable. Lara went by me and I thought for sure she was doing the 5K. After the 1st underpass, Pat caught up and we paced each other for the remainder of the race. Splits were ridiculous consistent in the middle of the race. Also running with a guy with a Revere jersey on. Didn't feel great from about mile 3-4, but then found a nice groove again once we crossed back to the Cambridge side. Making up ground on two guys in blue and also a larger pack with Ben in the mix. He looked like he was struggling. I went fairly hard up the hill, but then was passed by Pat on the downhill. This time I made a hard attempt to stay in contact and was feeling pretty good by the 6 mile marker. Made my move with about 3/4 of mile left to go and surged past guy in blue that was hanging with us. Probably went to early as I started to feel it just after passing the start line with 1/2 a mile to go. Passed again by the guy in blue. Now I was just trying to maintain. Ben's pack was in sight but not catchable with the way I was going. Really struggling by the time I hit the marsh post, but tried to maintain form to the finish line.
Another PR and some striking symmetry to my improvements: 47:27 to 46:29 to 45:31, all 58 seconds improvements. Means I should be able to run a 44:33 next year....