Notes
Temp 65 Wind 12 mph.
Rain and storms broke just in time for race. Mostly sunny, warmed up a tad. About 125-150 runners. Guessed the right course, we just started and finished at a different place. Threw off game plan.
Broke out with group of about 20. Felt fast, but when I slowed was passed or lost ground on leaders. Pack had not thinned out at about 1/2 mile mark, so I checked Garmin. We were at 6:18. Basically about 15 jack-asses chasing about 5 jack-rabbits. I backed it down and finished first mile at 6:28. About ten seconds faster than plan.
"Raced" second mile. Had runner on my shoulder at mile mark. He pulled ahead. Passed two others and then him before mile two mark. Great, great, great!!! Then looked at Garmin. Had run 7:02 mile split and was at 6:45 average pace. Crap, crap, crap!!!
Recent loss of conditioning got the best of me in mile three. HR drifted at start of third mile, fell back some, then soared for good just past 2.2 miles. Third mile 6:49. Kick pace 6:33.
Time 20:43. We did not get sticks, they tore off bib tags, so not sure overall finish. Will have to check on-line results when posted. Estimate 12th-15th overall. 2nd in AG to "A-Wad" who went sub 17:30 for 4th overall. Overall and gender placement the same.
Hit boh placement goals. Missed a little on time. OK considering recent illness. Absolutely ZERO physical issues. All about regaining and improving conditioning. Miles, miles, miles. Run often, mostly easy, sometimes easier.
Props to RD...a 1st class event. Also, props to "Hammer". 29th out of over 8,500 finishers in St. Louis in his 1st HM.