Notes
Leprechaun Chase
I signed up for this race for a few reasons:
1) It was local
2) It was free (elite entry)
3) It was different - the women started 5.5 minutes before the men, I liked the idea of having people to pass for awhile.
The problem, of course, would be just like the JV race at St. Johns, not enough room to pass. At first we were on a large road with plenty of room to pass (and passed many within even the 1st mile). But then we took a turn and only had 1 lane so for awhile I was either in the way of oncoming racers or on the far outside (though I did have fun weaving through for a bit). Still, it was never like I had to slow way down.
No splits for the first 2 miles as I just tried to stay calm (mostly successful). I got to 3 miles around 17:20 or so, so 5:50 pace. The crowds fairly quickly dissipated here but right then 2 Nebraska dudes passed me. No one had passed me yet so I stuck with them for the next mile. I think I would have relaxed if it weren't for them so that was nice.
I was drafting off them and not sure exactly how but it seemed like they stalled to let me take a gap, so I did. I must not have returned to the same pace after the slight burst of speed as they weren't with me anymore. I saw Hazard and saw 2 miles to go so I decided to try to pull away from them. For the next 2 miles I pushed hard and was running ~5:30 pace. I saw 1 guy coming back quickly and passed him (a former Simpson runner). But I'd been chasing this dude in a big cartoonish tie since mile 2 and still I wasn't gaining on him. I actually started sprinting with .2 to go just to get him but still fell short by 2 seconds. Oh well.
I'd say this was a good race considering where I felt my fitness was at 2 weeks ago. 13th overall, but 5th in age group, only didn't pass 1 girl. Lets hope that training through this (without too much training as well) will lead to much improvement later.