Notes
Mile 1, 5:32: I wanted to get out faster this year than most other halfs, and it's easy to do with a big downhill in the 1st mile. So 5:32 is actually pretty reasonable (especially when guys around me are talking about running 1:20, 1:18).
2, 5:37: Found a good pace but not people to run with. Unfortunately 1 guy passed me here and I proceeded to see him about 10-20sec ahead of me the entire race.
3, 5:30: Got a little carried away here.
4, 5:37: Back on pace.
5, 5:37: Grabbed water for the first time and tossed it on my head, however it was Powerade because I didn't think. Thankfully I wasn't sticky the entire race.
6, 5:37: At the first short hill, I finally caught the 1st woman (and curiously, the fastest t-shirt and long shorts-wearing dude). She kept up with me for a bit but I kept on my pace.
7, 5:47: The steepest and biggest hill, and then it slowly keeps climbing (good thing Robidoux had the cowbells). I may have pressed a bit hard here to not slow down and catch the next guy.
8, 5:28: Now the long downhill, plus I was trying to drop the guy I had just passed at the end of the uphill.
9, 5:36: Back on pace, plus a few guys to catch. Now I really needed to focus on not letting up the pace as it's not coming as easy anymore.
10, 5:48: The other long uphill, this one not as bad and I didn't have to push as much, but still slower.
11, 5:38: Passed 1 last guy (only other guy in sight is the one I've been stalking for 10miles and would finish 4 seconds behind). Saw Hazard, Hero, and Renee for a boost.
12, 5:41: Spurts of picking up the pace and gaining on competitors, then spurts of slowing down feeling tired.
13, 5:49: The point-to-point course finally turned west and we hit the wind. It was probably less than 10mph but it was enough to deflate me (and others) in the last mile. I'm somewhat surprised this wasn't slower as it felt like crap at times.
13.1, 1:14:21. Passed a struggling Sutton, ego boost for me, but felt bad for him. Closed well and only finished 4sec behind the guy in front of me.
Another Dam-to-Dam, another 1:14 something, though just 4sec off my PR. I wasn't overjoyed with the time but 24th is my best placing (still 11th in age group, but top 25 was my happy goal). I never felt overheated and just dumped water on myself 4 or 5 times, but conditions could have been better.