Notes
My goal was to run even 6's to start and give it hell from 2 through to the end. I wanted to better last years time at this race (18:40).
Gun goes off, let the fast guys go. Knowing a couple of them, I gauged that I should be 10-15 seconds behind at the first mile. Run within myself, keep it composed. 0.5 miles in, pass the sort of second group that were probably averaging 6:10 for the first mile. Through the mile mark at 6:02 - nice. Someone tucked behind me and I could hear their footsteps through to the 1.25 mile mark, but then they faded.
So I found myself, again, in no man's land. Front of my mind - just run relaxed and try to keep it even. Hit the two mile mark in 12:06, slipped ever so slightly on the pace following the elevation of the course, no worries, it's downhill through to the end.
Just past the two mile mark I start to feel a little GI distress. It's not an uncommon sensation for me during all out efforts, I've created a consistent routine in the mornings in an attempt to assuage my bowels, but no matter today, they make it known - they don't want to keep on like this. Less than a mile to go, I remind myself. The sensation gets worse, then better, the worse, etc. I realize this has distracted me considerably and attempt to refocus, my breathing needed to settle, my form needed to relax a bit. I think I can make it to the end...
Pushing as hard as possible at this point, trying to stay smooth, I come through the finish, somebody is blocking my view of the clock. I hit stop on the timex 18:18. Official results state an 18:16, a strong PR, 5th overall, first AG (30-39).
Last year I ran an 18:20 on a short course and was forced to disqualify it from my records as the distance discrepancy was too significant. I was ecstatic to better that time on a course I knew was the right length. Pace wise this was a great race. I executed what I wanted to do. I'd love to have hung on to someone for that extra little pull, but the other runners weren't there in my range. Alas, very happy with the race.