Notes
Our footfalls were very resonant like last year, sounded like a herd of buffalo pounding the turf when we took off. I could see the whole field in the first powerlline straightaway, not far behind Abby Woods. By the second hill I settled into a good gait, and held my position except for three runners. Splits were something like 6:45, 14:30(7:45), 24:24 (9:54), 32:00(7:36), 38:30 (6:30), Finish 48:30 (7:09). Three more passed me early on the down hill, while I was working on the three that passed me earlier. I managed to catch everybody though in the last mile and a half, feeling pretty strong. I was able to accelerate when I felt the need, on the uphill just past halfway I mounted a good charge to the top, passing a couple people. Also in that last mile and a half I steadily gained on people. This was my most successfull race so far, which was not without it s problems. Drank black tea, about 16 ounces in the 2 hours before the race. I could have warmed up more thoroughly, the second mile was kind of slow and heavy. The hills woke me up. At the summit I drank a small cup of water and took 2 endurolytes. Instant side stitch, stomach cramp. This stuck with me, but manipulating my breathing and core posture I ran through it. It was only a dull ache by mile 5. The sun had come out, very humid but not too hot.