Notes
Solid racing. I don't want to get too accustomed to these mid pack finishes, but I am happy to see a little progress.
Race plan was to start conservative around 5:30 mile, hold pace for the next mile, and then gradually work my way down in pace and position. Goals: 27:30, get close to 27 flat, or God-willing, anything with a 26 at the beginning! I really wanted to finish in the top 5 for the team, or at least the top-7, making the trip (and family accompaniment) worthwhile.
Accomplished all but the somewhat unrealistic goal of a sub-27. Start seemed a bit fast for me, but I settled into what felt like 5:20-5:30 pace. Had a few brief lapses in effort through the middle miles, but mostly ran a steady race keying off Dave Dunham (CMS). Really threw everything I had left into 3.5-4.5 miles, trying to catch up to the Whirlaway pack that had been tempting me all race. Was just about to settle with half a mile remaining, but there was a dip in the road around 500-600m out from the finish. Pat Ard was the only teammate left within sight and there were a couple of CMS guys near him and several right behind me. I threw myself down the hill and caught up to Pat immediately, he responded well, and we both managed to catch and hold off Putnam, the 7th man on CMS. Not that we had a chance in hell of beating CMS, but there's always going to be a certain amount of pride that kicks in at the end. Pat has been experiencing a fairly similar tough comeback this year, so it was great to finish side-by-side.
Guessing the splits:
1mi 5:20
2mi 5:30 (10:50)
3mi 5:35 (16:20)
4mi 5:35 (21:55)
5mi 5:20 (27:15)
I was really pleased with the overall effort, but especially the last couple of miles. I came close to collapsing at the line, in response to a long, well-paced finish. If I can maintain this level of racing and toughness to some more serious training and fitness, then a sub 15:30 (15:15?) and a top-20 finish may be in store for the 5k in two months...