Notes
Temp 51 Wind 7 mph. Humidity 91%.
Pre-Race Day Tune-Up. Started overcast, ended mostly sunny. Cool air, but feel the humidity. Did my stretching, HS PT and core exercises pre-run. 20:00 minutes of jogging, then four striders. First three striders in mid 5s. Let off the brakes a tad on the last one and dipped into the high 4s.
Sluggish after restless night. Getting anxious already. Have done this enough now to know that no matter how good or bad tune-up run plays out, come race time, systems are always a "go". Start time forecast is mostly cloudy and 58 (awesome for early May). Humidity 75% (manageable). Wind 9 mph out of the south (at our backs coming in on the out-and-back course).
Missouri Resident 12K State Record for 49-Year Old Male is 48:26. Based on recent race times, interval workouts, and HR monitored tempo, I'm looking at about 47:45. As always, no guarantees in racing. Still have to execute smart. Not sure how many or if any jack-rabbits will be entered. Possibilities include TJ, Chad S., Jared T, Josh L., or Coach Paul F. Any of those could run at the front for all or part of the race. Otherwise, it looks like its going to fall on CBEM partner Hammer. Expect at least two other 40+ guys running one of their weekly balls-to-the-wall "tempo runs" to be in hot pursuit. Can care less about sandbaggers, my plan is to get to the turn around point right around 24:00 flat, pick up the tailwind, then bring it home.
All focus next 24 hours on the race. No stress over drama. No stress over D'bert dropping the ball on the course certification...it will be or it won't. Not going to worry about all the late entries to clog up the course on the way back. Psudo-runners jumping in at the last minute because no one is signed up in their AG and they want a cheap award. Fine, just quit posting every hour on event's FB wall "How many in my AG now???" They'll yield. Skinny old men have bony elbows.
Appears that I will log my 5,000th mile on Running Ahead during this race.