Notes
Not bad. Weather was awesome, sunny and cool. Set out at a pace that felt pretty reasonable and was surprised at a 6:10 first mile. A guy next to me agreed this was fast and his gps beeped 10 yards down the road. This guy shadowed me well into the 2nd mile and pulled away, after a couple of masters runners blew past the two of us. Mile 2 was uphill, and 6:50 might be accurate. After the race, Mark B. told me his gps beeped right on the first mile mark. Mark would catch me after mile 2, and pull away just before mile 3, which I crossed for a 7:01 mile. Good to see Mark laying into a fast pace after a long recovery from pneumonia. I felt I was fading here, but so was this guy who shadowed me early on. Mark made steady progress on him in the next mile. Mile 4 was downhill, and 6:31 for me, Mark left this guy behind there. I caught him in the home stretch, past the soccer field. Having been conservative, I had a great sprint in me and passed this guy like he was standing still. It was a good feeling, and didn't bother my foot any. Crossing the finish line though, both feet were burning. I had friction pain on the balls of both feet, the sort that makes for blisters. This I chalk up to not running for a week. I figure that's a minute and a half slower than my potential a month ago. My big toe was a tiny bit sore throughout, but never serious or increasing, only slightly tender after the race if I flexed it. Another EORC Grand Prix is done, and the destruction of my 7:10 handicap continues...