Notes
Temp 15 (2) Wind 14 mph.
Not much to do in these conditions but run smart, don't get hurt, and see where you finish. Planned on stripping off the long pants, but after taking off gloves and lifting pant leg to change shoes, had to concede that this would be my first race in britches since 2008. Said screw it with the shoes also. Left the racing flats in the trunk and changed into the lightweight trainers.
Mostly kids and young adults on the starting line. Several underclassmen XC runners. Kid, maybe 18-19 in Murray State Track hoodie only fast starter. Go ahead and trail him just in case he has made a "pacing miscalculation". He slowed just a bit going up the first small incline, so there is hope. Bolted again on the decline, so I let him creep away some. Peek at my Garmin just before we start climbing the hill on Oak Street. About 0.40 miles in and we are at 6:20. I can deal with this, will find out if he can. Nope, pass him on the false top just past Farmington Road even after checking down my effort to climb. He's breathing heavy, but not hard as I go by. Heading down the other side, I hear him pounding. That's it, young man...pound this decline and bury yourself. Go through mile one feeling very relaxed at 6:36.
Mile two is about 75% inclines with a 0.55 mile stretch on Broadridge smack into the 15 mph headwind. Hear him hanging with me as we near the turn off Oak. Wondering if he is thinking he's going to draft off me. Slow up to let him pass. He's apparently not too anxious and does not bite. As we make the turn, hear the girls call him "Aaron". Ah ha, betting that's Aaron V. Was a soccer player in HS and the fastest runner on the team. Saw a recent 5K time on him and he should not be much better than 21:00-22:00 on a day like this on these hills. I am nowhere near the red-line, so change of plans. Bet if I can get him to chase me up this hill in headwind, his day will be over. About 400 meters later, do not hear him. Get to the top of the hill and damn, my shoe is untied with over a mile to go. Purposely backed the effort down a couple of times in mile two and went through split at 6:50. Overall effort feels like a tempo run. All that's left is to relax, don't trip myself, roll these last couple of smaller hills, then pick up the tailwind going around the lake.
Coasted the last mile in 6:26, then finished things off with 0:34 (6:04). Extra careful with form and made sure not to step on flopping lace. Never hit the red line, and never felt like I was taking any kind of typical 5K beating physically. First Overall. AV in at 21:XX. This course plots to 3.13. Stayed on the inside, ran a couple of pre-planned tangents, and crossed with the Garmin at 3.09. Didn't break 20:00, but whatever...wind chill is 2°. Won an engraved champagne flute glass. Something different.