Notes
Temp 32 (WC 21) Wind 18-20 mph.
Freezing rain all morning. Plan was to go out fast and hope flat course would allow me to hang on during the 1.30 to 2.45 mile stretch into 20 mph headwind. "Schmiz" was there and coming off his 3rd straight sub-20. Was hoping to stay close enough to have him pull me in under. No luck, and even he came in at 20:13.
1st mile at 6:22. However, got pounded into a 7:07 2nd. All the buzz from top finishers was "that 2nd mile!!!". Passed 31-35 "Tay-V" at about 1.5 mile mark second race in a row...he remembered and "discussed" it with me for a few meters. Good guy. High school kid took me shortly thereafter and never looked back.
Lost a few seconds at start. Was lined up behind the HS kids, but couple old(er) men and a little girl jumped in front of me last minute at starting line so they could bust out at their shoulder-to-shoulder 10-11 minute mile pace. One guy an experienced runner...he should have known better. Had to hop off road and run through grass to get around them. Little POed.
Good to see "Hammer" again. He's training with former pro tri-athlete "Del". They ran 2 and 3 overall. "Hammer" bummed about his 17:XX...he has to know we all would like to be as good as him on a "bad day" just ONCE!!
Negatives: Unable to mentally lock in before race. Caught myself waiting for something to go wrong (incident at start didn't help that mind-set). Stride felt forced. Ave. HR last 1.13 miles 98% of max, but just didn't feel like I gave it my best effort...but would I say that with a 20:59??
Positives: Respectable time for February in 32 degree weather, 20 mph wind, and freezing rain. 1st AG...best time for AG in three year history of race. Good cause and RD a good guy. Glad to support his event.
Splits:
Mile 1: 6:22
Mile 2: 7:07
1.13 : 7:32.