Notes
Going into this one I was a little discouraged because my mileage during the winter months was way less than predicted. A large part of me needed this break, but when you toe the line, you wish you had a few more miles under your belt. Have to pick my battles with aches and pains though.
In the first 400m, it was apparent that it would be a pack of 4 of us out front. The runner next to me seemed to have the same goal as I, and kept it very relaxed. I didn't realize I was running next to Fabian Dettenrieder, a name that's littered the 2nd WRC races around town for several years now. I could tell he was fit, and was hoping he would not crush everyone in the first mile just to set the tone at a local 5k... The other 3 runners, Fabian included, were viscously checking their watches every 30 seconds....not sure why they didn't just accept the race for what it was. Nobody was going for a PR today, not even close.
We took the first 2 miles in low 6:40's. Chatted a bit. Enjoyed leaping over puddles and tip toeing over ice. Then the last mile, Fabian and another guy broke out and I just stayed the course and kept up 20-40 meters behind them. I kept the #2 fella within reach as Fabian dropped him with half mile to go, and in the last 50m I burst past him for to finish 2nd.
I saw a few people from other races in 2019, and Jeff was there too!