Notes
Stayed over at Kev's the night before and we were up and over to the Claddagh by 6:15, to pick up the other guys. We wound up leaving their by 6:35 to get up to the start and get our numbers from Spinney. A quick warmup with Scott and then it was off to the start. I got out well in 5:37 and was actually feeling completely under control cardio wise. My right achillis was sore though. I was in about 10th at the mile. Then it was a feeding frenzy. I just kept picking people off, one after another. Next spilt 5:37 for 11:14 through 2. 5:33 for the third mile and 16:48 through 3. I was starting to actually pick it up here and there is a good amount of downhill in mile 3 and 4. 5:29 fourth mile and up to 5th place at this point. I was just hoping to hang here as the others were too far up to catch. There was a huge group right behind me though so I had to keep moving. I almost always get a big side cramp between 3.5 and 4.5 and this year was no different. It hits hard and I tried to be proactive by starting the nose breathing before it got too bad. I was able to get through it, but did loose a bit of momentum until about a half to go. 5:34 for the 5th mile and 27:52 through 5. Ill take that any day. Then 2:09 for the last .4 and I was moving pretty good. I think the race strategy played out just perfectly as I was toast at the end. This was my best time on this leg ever and handed off in 5th. I believe I was the fastest 30+ guy on that first leg as well. Next was Hamel, then Dechillis, then Kev and finished with Narcisi. We wound up 1st in the "Sub Masters" category and were happy with that! Open team was 2nd overall. Total Time was: 2:30:50 for us and 2:27:08 for the open guys.