Notes
Back at the Bix for my first race in awhile. I'm not attempting to be in race shape but was optimistic considering I've gotten more hill and heat training than last year (though much fewer miles). I once again started a ways back from the starting line and it was annoying the first 30sec just getting space to run, then I did plenty of weaving (which was more fun) before getting closer to the front. The first mile was about 6min so slower than last year, I didn't push the long downhill with the intention to do better on the uphill, but maybe that was a bad decision.
You get so used to going downhill that it's a shock just to be flat again. I made it up the halfway steep hill fine (with the guy next to me throwing up at the top). Halfway was a also about 30sec slower than last year and I wasn't feeling like I was about to make a move. Of course no one else feels like that either and I stuck with a group for a mile before gradually getting my legs used to the uphill motion. I ended up leaving the group as I seemed better the steeper the hill. Though 1 or 2 guys passed me on this stretch, I would get them back.
Back on Brady street, I picked up the pace but wasn't passing anyone until the steep downhill where a opened up and got on my toes. Finished strong, though just really making sure I didn't get passed.
Slower than last year but about a minute. No need to read into that but certainly need to progress further with training.