Notes
It wasn’t a perfect race but it may have been as close as I'll ever get. I was more rested than planned because of the ankle tendonitis that started last week but was still running and aqua jogging because my bigger goal is the Twin Cities Marathon, just four weeks from today.
Northfield MN, is where Jessie James robbed the bank and every year the town reenacts the robbery. A desperado dressed cowboy on a grey roan horse shoots a gun to start the race. The poop can not be blamed on runners because whoever in the runner’s trots thread mentioned taking psyllium the night before, I am forever grateful, I am editing my will.
8:06 for first mile, felt too fast. I was lazy with only a 1 mile warm-up, 3-4 is more my style. Second mile my legs feel heavy and I’m thinking 8:30 pace for the rest. I have a hard time letting myself believe I can run fast. I’m starting to feel my ankle more and stressed that it is about to blow-up. But my ankle relaxes and all the rolling hills feel good. It’s a beautiful view of the green country side, 50F, but the wind is frustrating. The next five miles speak for themselves, 8:38, 8:07, 7:59, 8:18, 8:02. Passing people is nice.
At the 10k mark I’m at or close to a PR with avg pace 8:11. (The 10K in my log I believe was short.) OK, just hold it for 3 more miles. I pass two friends that are faster than me, mention I'm having a really good day, keep going. The hills are behind me and it’s a slight decline. Next two miles 8:14, 7:51.
Last mile I’m kicking hard when a car nearly hits me passing on my left. I scream. I have never been more startled while running. Who worries about a car when you’re finishing a race like this? Not sure how this affected my time, but mile 9 7:49, and .3 6:55.
15K Chip time, 1:15:34, (garmin avg pace 8:04) A PR pace for me on almost any distance 8K or over. 2nd in AG. I have a hard time believing that was me running today.