Notes
Happy (very happy) and frustrated all at the same time. I know this is a good time, but could have been much better.
Saw Chris Deming ("beat") at the start. He's just a much more experienced racer than me, so decided to hang with him as long as possible. This was probably a little risky (turns out it was), because he was going for a 1:22 (which I think he got). But I knew his pacing would at least be good. Anyway, he and I hung together through 8 miles, pretty much sharing the load (maybe he pulled me a little more). Pretty consistent 6:05's through 6:15's up to mile 8 - will have to check his log for the splits (I don't have a garmin). We were at 8 in 49:20 or something - which happens to blow away my 8 mile PR from last summer.
At 8 he dropped me up the hill. Got through 10 in 1:03. I was slowing a bit. Then, at 11, a bit of disaster. Golf ball cramps in both calves. I had to hang on through 12. Last mile was brutal. Actually pulled over to stretch twice. Limped across the line with what must have looked like a pretty pathetic sprint to get in under 1:25.
I'll take it, knowing that much better is still out there.
First half since 2001 (12 years), and a 7 min or so PR, so it's all good.