Notes
2nd Overall. After the first mile I knew it was going to be a long shot at <37. First mile just felt way to hard. After running hard the first mile but what still was way too slow, I picked it up some to try and at least run <6 minute pace. At that point the leader (whiteshirt) was already a quarter mile in front and the next guy (longhair) about 200 yards. I slowly gained on longhair and was within 5 yards by mile 3. He wasn't breathing hard at all, whereas I was already breathing pretty hard and just trying to keep it together. I passed him briefly around mile 3 and was then gaining on the leader. Longhair passed me again (and for good) around mile 4 and then passed the leader. At about 4 1/2 I passed whiteshirt and began focusing on catching longhair again.
At mile 5 I briefly caught up to longhair and ran behind him for about another 1/4 of a mile. He still wasn't breathing hard. He noticed me and began pulling away. I kept pressing hoping to keep up but by mile 6 he was a good 50 yards in front of me. I tried to kick it in at the end, but he was kicking just as hard and there was no way to catch him.
Overall it was a good race, fun to have some competition even though I lost. Legs felt strong the whole time, it was the breathing that was what slowed me down. Not sure if it was the heat or if I just need to be doing more VO2 max stuff. Missed <37 by a lot but still a course PR for me.