Notes
#FEB1!
I started the day off with a large breakfast at Murphy's with Jarrett, Allison, and Janice. BY FAR the most I've ever eaten before a race. I drank two cups of coffee, and scarfed a greasy bacon, egg, and cheese with home fries. Then I had to wait for Janice to get her G.D. hair cut only to hear her complain about it the rest of the day. I made my way over to the newly-resurfaced Leverone Field House to do my usual shit-shooting before the race, literally and figuratively (ew). Enough of that. I warmed up with Rob, Brad, Colin, and Jarrett and was actually feeling smooth. I laced up the spikes, strid a few strides, stretched a bit then tossed on the Great White Hope Singlet. When the time came to race I lined up with 24 other racers and prepared for glory. When the gun went off I happily faded to the back - the pace was hot. I was feeling smooth; like my old self clicking off laps right on pace. I hit the 1k in 3:10, perfect pace for a 9:30. At that point there was a small gap to the main pack. I made the decision NOT to bridge the gap because I feared it might put me too far in the red. That was a fatal decision. The kind of guys you're running against in a 9:40 race are VERY different than the guys in a 8:40 race. I kept passing this short guy and he kept surging by me and promptly slowing down. That led to a very frustrating middle K. I ran past a dead-faced JML and Coach Millar about 12 times. I knew what was coming when I noticed they were getting more and more excited with each pass. They weren't admiring my buttery-smooth mechanics and proximity to 9:30 pace. With about 300 meters to go it happened. I got lapped by at least three guys. I finished the race, no kick, in 9:41.6. I can't be disappointed with it, but it doesn't get me hard either. Right now my plan is to train for a NBB Twilight Meet and some summer road races. I'll run the 800 and tempo/rabbit the 5K at Cap District Alan Webb style. Until then!