Notes
Grand Blue Mile. I haven't done this race in 5 years but figured I should get back to it. Apparently Runablaze brought their full team for the first time ever due to the race having more prize money. So it was a bit more impressive a looking field than normal, and I was also a bit surprised to see almost everyone in the first 2 rows of the race had supershoes on (including Rush). I figured I would gauge off of Ben Jaskowiak and started in a decent spot in the second row. A little messy getting out but I got into a decent spot quickly. The Runablaze guys were on the other side and started to go ahead a little while I was trapped, but the guys I was around also sped up and I was able to get out from the group and work my way up toward the leaders right before the 400 (66). I settled in just near the back of the leaders, maybe a little gap, but definitely felt good with the wind at my back and wondered if I should be going faster. But I didn't move up again and just kind of stayed in that spot. As Jaskowiak started to fall off the front I went by him and was chasing probably a group of about 7 by the time we hit 800 (2:14). The corner did not feel great and zapped my legs a bit more than expected and then turning into the wind the leaders just took off. I realized I should have been closer at that point because I didn't really have much speed into the wind. Still ran solid. Passed a guy and got passed by a couple to end up in 10th. I was a little bummed to end up at 4:33 as I thought I could get under 4:30 but it was still a solid race. They also don't show decimal points in the results and it appears they round up and down so I'm not exactly sure what I ran, but it probably doesn't matter much. I felt like I tried to kick but just didn't get a ton of response out of my legs. I was only beat by guys younger than me though, and I think all of them were in their 20s other than Austin O Brian who is 31. So still showing pretty well for my age. Crazy to think I ran 4:23 the last time I was at this race though. My legs felt great after the race again and on the cool down. I'm probably going to have to do some speed work if I want to get back under 4:30.