Notes
Another year of Dam to Dam. Started right away with Pollux and Kris Spoth (high school teammate). I don't know who was setting the pace really but we got out under 5:50 with the big downhill, so a conservative but solid start. The top women passed us at the bottom of the hill so we decided to hitch ourselves to their train for a few miles. Unfortunately around mile 3, Pollux was suddenly no longer with us as he got a side ache. As I was looking back for him as well as chatting with the lead biker for the women, I notice Spoth and another guy pulling away from the women's pack. I caught up with them, but sure enough the women gained on us and passed us once more (I think they picked up the pace drastically for a mile as 1 women made a push).
Once again I was content to draft with the big pack as we were in the 5:40's each mile. However, I did not notice the pace slowing as I drafted and the 5th mile was barely under 6 minutes. Seeing that, Spoth decided it was time to leave the pack for good and set an even pace, I joined as did 1 women for a few minutes but soon it was just him and I.
Together we gradually picked up the pace all through the residential area; I felt good on the hills and with the pace, but it seemed he was doing fine too. We were in no-man's land for awhile but finally caught a guy around 10miles (incidently the same guy I chased and caught for miles and miles in Duluth). It was here that Spoth edged away from me and I let him go so I could gather myself. I think I pushed hard on the 11th and 13th mile but relaxed too much on the 12th, but I'll have to check my splits. I passed a few fading guys before finishing.
Another 1:14 for me, that seems to be my norm. It's certainly better than it could have been given where I was a few months ago, but I was also hoping for a breakthrough (as always). No Grandma's Marathon this time to keep training for, I'm going to take some time off. As I have no races planned for this summer, let's hope I get motivated well before All-American comes around.
**Post Note**
So I got 28th overall and 16th in my age group... Maybe I should stop racing until I hit 30
5:47, 5:46, 5:53, 5:44, 5:58, 5:46, 5:44, 5:32, 5:35, 5:42, 5:34, 5:55(misstimed?), 5:48.