Notes
Lots to say here but the race was fairly uneventful. Down to the race with Greg2 and Cremer, and we parted ways as the boys took the bus to the 20 miler start and I headed for Rye for the start of the Half. Sat around forever on the bus and it was warm but got kicked off the bus 15 minutes before the start of the race. No real starting line. We're off. I basically sit right behind these 2 girls who are in there 20s. I am basically attached to them for the first 2 miles or so. The pace never felt hard but nothing just rolled either. I really focused on being smart and not going out to fast. Cremer made a bet with me basically saying I couldn't control myself and would run the first 5 in under 36. If I go over 36 mins he owes me a 6 pack double bag (this is the goal....don't go out to fast dumbass). If I go under 36 (and run to fast like a shit head), then I owe him a 6 pack. Because the race was so uneventful I obsessed over this for the first 36 mins. It was a good distraction. 36:31. I did it. I couldn't care less about the beer and don't even think about it. I still wasn't in a great rhythm and never had the floaty feeling one time throughout the race. It seemed very likely to me that I would fade at some point so I came to the conclusion that I would likely be around 1:37. As the miles ticked away I started to look at my watch less and less and all but ignored my pace. I mostly ran by feel but did a spot check from time to time and that told me I was locked in. As I approached 10 miles I felt pretty good about fighting for the last 3+ and just accepted whatever my fate was from a time standpoint. I just kept plugging away at what felt like a hard pace. At the 10 mile mark I noted my time because I always think about the MWC. 1:12:15. Solid. I can sustain this. Continued to hold pace without really speeding up or slowing down. Just hammering away. Not feeling confident or strong or floaty but just grinding away. I saw a turn after I hit 13 and knew I would be close to my goal. I take a sharp left and see the finish line. I can't believe the race is over. I thought for sure I would have another stretch to go but it just ended. I look at my watch and it says 1:34:4X. I'm in shocked that I did it. I thought for sure I was going to fade. I look at my watch again after I finish and it says 1:34:44. I pumped my fist and shout something that I don't remember what I said...almost talking to my self. But whatever I said I got the attention of several people who congratulated me on a 8 min PR. Today was a huge confidence boost for me where I finally delivered a decent race performance. It was a long time coming. I know I can run better but it's a start. Duke didn't lose but that's ok. It was still a good day. And Justice Winslow is a beast. Onward.
MTA: Official time listed in Coolrunning is not correct - I'm sticking with my watch as there is no way that I was 24 seconds off.
24 1:34:20 7:12 7 40-49 14 M 1088 Steve Curcio Sanford,ME