Notes
I'm happy with it! It better not be a lifetime PR but I think this is a great result considering the past few weeks of training and where I'm at right now.
Charlie Post Classic on Sullivan's Island, 8:30am, great weather for the distance (alumni singlet (!), gloves, double layer of spandex half-tights). I had low expectations going into this race but figured it would be a fun distance to try and a new area to explore. All in all, I think I ran this race about as well as I could have right now... smart, mostly even pacing with a slight negative split. According to RA, my splits went 18:13-18:09-17:37 but you can probably add 3s to each of those since RA had me at 15k at 54:00.
Pancake flat course, though with it being right next to the water you were fighting semi-strong wind at points, but ultimately good conditions. Miles 4, 5 and mostly 3 were into a good headwind so I lost a few seconds of pace there, but largely got that back on 6, 7 and mostly 8. Unfortunately, a good chunk of 9 to the finish was into the wind too so the last mile extra hurt but still managed fine. Pretty good venue though I came close to missing some turns... lots of volunteers that were better at cheering than pointing, but I'm nitpicking.
5k and 15k started at the same time. Met up with JP who said he was going to try and PR (which would be in the 51s) so I wasn't planning to try to stick with him from the start. Had some company for the first two miles but all of those guys ended up doing the 5k so once they turned off I was pretty much on my own, but it didn't worry me because I was just trying to groove along. I was suprised to see that the next guy was JP <1min up probably. Over the next 6 miles I crept closer and closer and by 8 I thought I might get him, but he had a good last 1.3 and I wasn't able to close down, but only ended up 21s back after expecting to get dusted. Thought sneaking under 6:00/mi would be acceptable and 5:50/mi would be the best I could do right now, so I JUST BARELY surprised myself. Midway through thought I might make it under 54 but came up a little short, but no problem.
Overall, I'm satisfied and had fun. Definitely a distance I want to try again soon, should be able to cut off a good amount of time with some better training in the legs. Needed a lot of patience, can't imagine the patience needed for a marathon! As a bonus, now I know my current TRUE tempo pace.
Oh and since they decided to divide up age groups by 18-24 and 25-39 (15yrs? ha), JP and I both won our age groups! For whatever that's worth. A nice little token to show for the experience.