Notes
Temp 25 (WC 14) Wind 12 mph.
Not much of a "race". Pretty much a "run". Let pack of 8-10 sub-18ers have the front and take position on second row next to Schmiz. We're off and it gets lonely early. First hear some foot steps at second turn about quarter mile in. Staying with me through next turn and is still there half mile in. Originally thought a HS kid who may be trying to catch the pack, but they didn't pass me? Take a glance and its Schmiz. Thinking I may be out a few seconds slow, but Del and Adam L. are not too far ahead. Not sure here, so go with it. Stretch into the wind and up a small climb. Get a more expected spread between the four of us and I'm not as nervous anymore. Garmin alerts set at 6:00 minutes, and the first goes off just shy of mile marker. (6:01).
Mile two starts with a small decent and then runs with a tailwind. I'm 10+ seconds off my first mile pace of my last two 5Ks, but not expecting a whole lot today, so going to go with what I'm doing and hope my head cold and the weather don't catch up to me too soon. We turn again at about 1.75 mile in and I sneek a peek over my shoulder. See Schmiz and Jason K. about 10-15 seconds back. Hit second mile split at alert. (5:59). Know I've ran a negative, know sub-19 is now there for the taking, and know the final mile is into the wind. Focus now moves to making Schmiz and Jason K. run a 6:00 minute 3rd mile into the wind to beat me.
Brief surge to start followed by some uneven spots. Hear Brooke announce Roy & Billy finishing in mid 16s and think I shouldn't be much more than two minutes from the line. Next to last turn and make another surge. Ride it out and slow slightly going into last turn. Alert little before split shortly after turn. (6:05). See clock, gauge distance, and see I've a got a PR with a kick. Pace progresses to sub 5:00 by the finish. Final official time 18:37. PR by 1 second.
Ran what I thought was a conservative race. Probably left some seconds on the course, but little scared to let loose early. Didn't really seem to have to work until about 2.25 miles in. Can't find anything to complain about. Two solid 5Ks in a row...nice launching pad for 2010.
Third in masters behind Del and Hammer. Think I was in top 10 OA, but will need to wait to see results posted. Was pretty much flying solo. There was about a 40 second gap ahead of me and behind me. SplitMasters take top four masters spots. Missing one of our top guys, so it could have been 5 for 5. Nice race, nice set-up, and nice "heavy" award. Don't have one that looks like this one. Decent turnout, and not hardly anyone there from Sikeston??
4:41 PM -- Results posted: 10th OA. Age Graded: 6th OA. 2nd Masters.