Notes
Irish Run 2015. First race of the circuit, and I knew I wouldn't be in the shape I was last year, but felt good to be around 25:30. The course was a bit different this year, a few more back and forths, which ended with you running to the finish line slightly up hill and against the wind for the last k or so.
I went into this thinking a 25:30 was good to shoot for, but I ended up getting out way too hot. Though the first mile is down hill, I came through the marker at 4:51 (gps split shortly after). I still felt alright, but we started the stupid summit climb for the next bit. I ran with the second chase pack (Sathre out front, then a group of dudes, then my group) mainly Kieser, and a few other RNF fellows. They left me behind on the hill, but I kept within 20m of Kieser from there to the finish. Once we got to the top of the hill, I started to get a little winded. Stride never felt "on", and I really felt uncoordinated for some reason. Not tired, just all over the place.
We made our turn, and got a nice down hill for a bit, hence the pick up to 5min pace. Our chase group was pretty strung out by then. I kept checking my shoulder to see if I would get chased down. Joe, of Collegeville kept himself in my periphery. By the time we got to a mile to go, I was getting pretty discouraged. We had one turn left which brought us back into the wind, and slightly uphill to the finish. I was working to try to get back up to Kieser, and not let Joe run up on me. Never caught Kieser, but never got run down. Okay finish. Felt very tired at the end. I guess that's what under training feels like.
On the positive side, I ran a 25:34 off of not much. About 20 seconds slower than last year. I think by Get n Gear, I could hope to hang with the dudes I'd race more of last year.
On the cool down, I had a bit of knee pain. Called it off after 10 min, and stretched inside for about 5 min. That seemed to clear it up, so I headed back out without a problem for a few more minutes.
Overall, a successful day.