Notes
1st 5km: 22:23 (4 seconds faster than last year)
2nd 5km: 22:39 (102 seconds faster than last year)
Forgot the watch, great start to the new racing season!
Ran with Strava on my phone but ran blind as I couldn't see it. The only indication of pace I had were the 42 and 46min pacemakers and the 5km halfway timer.
I took it easier, honestly I felt too easy but I kept the 46 pacers at bay. I kept thinking about last year and how I blew up and walked on the hills late on. So as long as the 46 were behind I tried to avoid from pushing too hard. I got to halfway at 22:23 and felt great.
I saw the 46 pacemakers at 6km on a bend and got a bit spooked that they were catching up (they weren't). Pushed a bit harder and then there was no 7km marker so I felt like I was in trouble! 8km came and I couldn't see the pacemakers any longer, I knew I was safe even with the hills.
I kept a bit in reserve as I didn't want to blow up and felt pretty good when I neared the finish. I couldn't all out sprint as I had to fumble with Strava on the phone.
Pretty pleased to qualify for group D in the mara and by almost a full minute too! Pretty strange sensation to feel so comfortable at the end as I had kept plenty in reserve. I might have been able to run a minute faster if I had pushed super hard but then I didn't have any particular goal in mind.