Notes
I started out with the main chase group and chatted for a bit. Just sort of hung out at sub 6:30 pace. The group dispersed after a few miles and the 4th mile was my fastest of the day right at 6flat. But right around that time we also got on the gravel and things started to become concerning. Welcome back the ol' stomach/breathing issues.
There was a very slight hill at 4.5 and I fell apart completely as 4 people passed me in 30sec or so. I regained some composure on the flat again and hung out with Chase for a few miles running 6:40's (while really regretting not stopping in Solon). But Chase left me once I ran a 7min mile. I again relaxed and chatted with the next guy that passed me. I finally decided to hit the bathroom and he told me where one was.
The bathroom break (not in total time) was relaxing and I slowly got back into a rhythm and passed the people that passed me while stopped. By the spillway, I accepted that I was feeling good again and started pushing again on the trails. At first, it looked like no one was in sight, but I started rolling enough that I quickly found Chase, then the other guy that had passed me while I was running. No one else to chase but it was a respectable finish. Thanks to the magic of Strava, I can say I had the fastest 1.5mile trail stretch and other than Charlie Paul, the fastest last 2.5 miles. Maybe a consolation prize but better than nothing.
So maybe a failure and a waste of 12 miles on my flats, but I did push myself and got a hard effort in (plus basically a long run!). That can only mean progress right?
*Valhalla