Notes
Well the weather was perfect and the course was gorgeous, had a decent day but still have a lot to learn about this distance. Legs felt great the first 8-10 miles, then calves were starting to get a bit tight and less bounce because I ended up going with a shoe that was too minimal. Live and learn I guess on that one, but I know better for next time. Ran into my first sideache in this whole segment at mile 7, but luckily realized fairly quickly that was because I was taking in too much sugar from my gatorade mix but wasn't sweating almost at all because the weather was so nice. That threw me for a loop but once it started to go away a bit, I just started taking water at every other aid station instead of my pre-made mix. From 12 to 17 the lower legs were tired but would hit one mile on pace and one mile 10 seconds off, still holding onto hope I could hit the time. Then starting at 18 the time gradually started to fade as the lower legs and feet weren't doing much work for me anymore. I was hoping to feel strong til 20, not til 10 but that's how it goes. Some rolling hills these last 8 miles. Got passed by a couple more guys and 1 group but by 20 started catching a couple other people. Reeled in like 4 or 5 guys the last 3 miles when I was feeling pretty good despite the slower miles. Having my cousins all cheering for me on bikes next to the course definitely helped on this part. Strong finish made me feel good about things and never expected to feel so easy aerobically for this distance. Mile splits were 5:15, 5:08, 5:20, 5:05, 4:53(short), 5:32(long), 5:03 where I let the pack go, 5:21, 5:18, 10:26(must have missed a split in here), 5:29, 5:19, (1:09ish at halfway), 5:24, 5:17, 5:24, 5:15, 5:40, 5:33, 5:35, 5:38, 6:01, 5:49, 5:51, 5:46, 5:31, 1:10. Ended up in 17th at a US Championship, same place as Bix of course. Would've taken my 2:19 to be in the top 10 today so no open window to qualify there. Aerobically felt like I had 2:16-2:17 today but gonna take awhile to master this distance. Not excited about not qualifying but not pissed, a pretty good debut overall.