Notes
Really happy with how this race went. First 10 were interesting, running in the dark with fairly easy terrain. I had no idea what place I was in but kept it pretty conservative. Got into the aid station at mile 11 and still no idea. It was a relief to get out onto the first loop as I was really looking forward to seeing how my legs responded this year with better training and cooler weather. The first loop was pretty uneventful and as I ran into the aid station at mile 30, Jake had dropped and I was told I was in second with first place having a 30 minute lead.
As I ran out I saw two 50 milers within a mile of me on the return trip and I knew I had to pick up the pace if I had any chance of winning much less coming in second. The second climb up hogs back was tough but the decent was worse and I almost ate it a couple times. I got to aid station 7 and they told me I was 15 minutes behind the leader. Then a few minutes later a runner said I was sixteen minutes behind. The next aid station told me I was 23 minutes behind the leader and I was really wondering what the real story was. I got through the next couple climbs and finally at Harlow lake with only flats for the next 7 miles Joe tells me I am about 16 minutes behind. The next several miles I focus on pressing as hard as I can without the heart rate getting out of control. I made it about 4 miles around 8:30 pace before I had to slow down.
I finally get close to Sugarloaf and Joe tells me the leader is 5 minutes ahead. Wow, If I can only make good time up Sugarloaf... I get to the bottom and he still has a 5 minute lead. 4 more miles and I push it as hard as I can. With two miles to go I take a pretty good digger, actually my only fall and mainly due to trying to accelerate into a run too fast after a climb. I get up, keep going and finally see the finish. I give it one final sprint, but I already know I am too late. 2nd again.