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Notes

Run for the parks 10k -

Woke up just after 4 to make the trip to D.C. Feeling a bit groggy but was hoping I'd have a bit more spring in my step once warming up and getting ready for the race. Although it's been a down week mileage wise, I'm feeling a bit off. Same things have been bothering me and now my left glut / Piriformis area is tight and irritated. Ended up arriving at West Potomic Park at 6:30. Had to park about a mile from the starting line. The weather was much cooler with rain on and off on the drive up.

Warmed up for 20-min out and back on the course. Legs didn't feel great but they always feel that way on the warm up. Hips are still tight from the quarters on Thursday. Returned back to the start line, did some drills in the grass and tried staying loose. It was now raining pretty good. Waited till the last minute to put on my racing shoes (Katana Cage) and singlet. Did a few more strides noticing my left glut was tight.

At the start I noticed a couple Ethiopians to my left. Gun sounded and I went out fairly comfortable. They were not going with me at first , but slowly worked there way up to me before the first mile. I was expecting that, so I stayed relaxed and tired keeping a consistent pace. We hit the first mile (5:25) which was wrong. Kinda pisses me off that things like the happen, but I'm here and just need to race hard and not worry about it. It was the same thing coming through mile 2 (10:40's) Still feeling good aerobically but legs were not fresh at all. Hit 3 miles in the 15:20's, which seemed more like it. Thought I was running a bit faster but who knows. Hit the 5k at the turn around point. Didn't look at my watch but guessing it was right around 16:00. The two Ethiopians surged. I couldn't respond. I did however work hard on the way back. Was hurting but managed to run negative splits. Not happy with how my body felt, but I did race hard and put myself out there. That's all I can expect with each race. Body is tired. I've done a few races. Now it's time to work hard over the next several weeks and hopefully I'll be ready to go for a couple of races in November. Thinking about running the XC race at UVA on Nov 3rd, before the 8k in Richmond the following weekend. The XC race is 5k which I'm excited about!