Notes
Okay, I tapered and felt strong going in. The main unknown, aside from pacing entirely by feel, was how my guts were going to respond to the afternoon race. My lunch was a medium raspberry shake around 1:00, and after I consumed it, was really wondering if that was a good idea. Turned out to be fine, I felt nothing unusual in my gut. Lined up in second row behind the mat, which honestly was further forward than I should have been, but a lot of the people around me were slower and annoying to get past in the first half mile. My strategy was to keep it quick and relaxed and hope it was adequate. There turned out to be a lot more back and forth than usual - passed and got passed by a couple of gals and one guy. Continued to do this with one gal for almost two-thirds of the race. We traded "good jobs" as we ran. She was one of those who squeaks with each breath, so I always knew where she was. Followed her for several K, then in the last 3K she weakened and I passed her to finish well ahead, and ran it in good and strong to DW's cowbell. I wasn't what you'd call hurting at the end, so I guess I left a bit on the course. Just a good, strong effort. Won $25.