Notes
2016 Brissman-Lundeen Invitational - Blue Race
Drove Jack's car to the meet. Had a pretty good, relaxing drive over, though the car was a bit warm. Got to the course with plenty of time to warm up. It was a warm one though, but I was trying not to focus on that. Felt pretty flat on the warm up. Forgot to take my caffeine gum before the warm up, so took it once we got back. Had no water left, so my mouth was pretty dry. Got off the line very well, I thought, and settled in right at the back of the lead pack. First 2k felt pretty effortless, but by this part, I noticed that I had settled in too much and was starting to loose touch. Tried to start working my way forward, but didn't seem to make up that much group. The front pack from out team of David, Josh, Weem and Frintner came up on me about 3k and we worked well together. Caught Joe Cowlin at 4k and tried to get him to go with us, but he was having a tough day. Frintner and I fell off pace a bit on the beginning of the second loop, and from there I started reeling a bit. Couldn't find a positive rhythm and it seemed for every guy I passed, I lost a couple places. This remained the same as I struggled through the last ~2k. Had a strong last 600m and probably sprinter past 10-15 guys, most of whom I had let go by me in the last mile. Not a bad day, but not nearly my best.
I did a lot of dumb things before this race that can be easily fixed (not having enough water, misusing/using caffeine gum on a hot day). The rest of the race will come with more miles. Going to keep pushing through and build the strength going forward. Hopefully the work will pay off in the post-season, when it really counts.
Solid showing by the men's team. 7th place overall with team scores at 30, 41, 42, 51, 74, 75, 79. Nice packs. If we can bring those together as the season progresses we'll have a good team. Women also ran solid too!
Went to Culver's in wonderful Morton, IL and saw THE Joe Zeller. WHAT A TREAT