Notes
I did my standard prep (hair/toenails cut Wed., pizza for an early dinner Friday, woke Saturday at 5:30, beet juice drunk by 6:00, caffeine pill at 7:40, gel at 7:55). I was in the elite field so got bottles at 8 miles, 14 miles, and 20 miles which worked very well since the course drink was nuun.
My goal was 2:42, with a plan to start conservatively and ease into 6:10 miles and then push the last 6. The weather was 65 degrees but cloudy with rain and a strong wind (15mph, gusting to 40mph) from the South. The course is a loop such that the first half is with the wind or crosswind and the last half is against the wind or crosswind.
Knowing the weather I debated trying to run with the 2:37 pace group for the first half but ultimately stuck to my plan. It rained pretty hard right before the start, so I was soaked the entire race. That worked out fine since it helped keep me cool, though I did dump water over my head at several aid stations.
The first half did not feel easy, but I also tried not to be pushing to hit 6:10. Coming back South the wind certainly was a factor. I slowed slightly for miles 15-16 (slowest of the day at 6:16). Around 17 I was still feeling good and had a couple guys drafting on me so I slowed slightly to let them pass and then immediately joined in behind them. One (Alec) even said 'get on the train, let's go!'. I followed him and chatted a bit - we decided to work together and swapped out blocking the wind for the rest of the race. We kept passing people and occasionally would have someone hang on for a little while but never for too long.
Alec did more leading 20-22 and then I passed him and led. At around 23.5 he started to fade and when I noticed he wasn't on my shoulder I yelled back 'Alec, get your ass up here!'. He responded and actually passed me and we pushed hard to the finish. He had more left over the last mile and picked up maybe 10s on me but my last mile was by far my fastest (only under 6:00 at 5:53).
Official Splits:
5k - 19:10 (19:10, 6:10 pace)
10k - 38:20 (19:10, 6:10 pace)
15k - 57:28 (19:08, 6:09 pace)
20k - 1:16:38 (19:10, 6:10 pace)
Half - 1:20:49
25k - 1:35:56 (19:18, 6:12 pace)
30k - 1:55:20 (19:24, 6:14 pace)
35k - 2:14:44 (19:24, 6:14 pace)
41k - 2:36:21 (21:37, 5:48 pace - this must have been short)
Finish - 2:41:45 (5:24, 7:14 pace - this section must have been long)
2nd Half - 1:20:56 (positive split by 7s)
Overall, I was very happy with this performance. I hit my goal despite challenging weather.
Sub 2:50 every age 30-42
Sub 2:42 every age 36-42
Sub 3:00 every year 2010-2022
Sub 2:45 every year 2013-2022 (10 years!)
Sub 2:42 every year 2015-2022
Moose Mug #6