Notes
Such a blast. Had to stop at a port-o-jon at mile 8, otherwise a perfect race. It helped that I had a fairly easy goal and no real idea where under sub 90 I would end up. Port-o-jon visit cost exactly 60 seconds by my watch. But it also propelled me to picking up the pace thereafter.
Review a couple days later:
I began this race with running buddy Mike Kidder, both of us targeting sub 90, which according to my other races this year, was well within reach, but would be a PR nonetheless. Unfortunately at mile 8, my guts made it known, they couldn't hang on through 13.1. Just prior to stopping I said to Kidder "you've got this, finish strong, I'll see you at the finish." He wished me luck and I dodged into the port-o-jon pausing my watch for the pit stop.
I made very quick work of it (setting my first PR of the day, gross I know, but hey). Afterwards, I felt so much better, just with a heightened amount of anxiety. I told myself not to go too crazy trying to make up the time lost, but on the long straights, I thought I could see the bright green of Kidder's shirt in the distance. This fueled the recovery effort. I knew his pace would be steady, and I though I had a little more to give, so I slowly cranked it up. The closer I got to the green shirt in the distance, the more intent my drive became.
I caught him just before mile 11, pulled up alongside of him and smiling said, "Hey man. Two more miles to sub 90, we've totally got this." He had a slight look of disbelief on his face, but at that point in the race, everyone sort of does anyhow. I could tell he would get there, but that he wasn't going to push too much harder. I kept pushing. The pace I set catching him felt good and I knew a strong finish was in sight. I cranked it up again. Mile 13 was the fastest of the race in 6:11 and in the end the official time stated 1:27:43, exactly 60 seconds behind my watch.
Racing is making the most of the situation. And in the end had I not thought I had a chance to catch back up to Mike, I may not have found the drive to push to the time I did. A good confidence boost toward the Cbus full next month, but it definitely leaves me wondering what time to target. 3:15 seems too soft, but would be a 9 minute PR. 3:10 seems like a nice round target, but i can't help but think, what if...