Notes
Temp 47 (44) Wind 8 mph.
Nice morning. Wind from the north, so will get it in the face on the 2nd and 5th miles going uphill, but overall will take this weather any day. 164 entered. Don't know the 5K / 10K / Walker breakdown, but probably about as many walkers as runners.
Front and center with Joe W. Says he's wanting to go about 6:40 miles today, however, he came out and ran the course yesterday. Sounds like he's racing? Maybe one of those "if it is feeling good" days? We'll test it. Out a little fast with the downhill. JW looks back at half-mile point and we're already about 100 meters ahead of the next runner...and its a girl (who would win the OA 5K). Through first mile in 6:39. Start to hit some wind resistance and have a 6/10ths of a mile climb into the wind in mile two. Go 6:43.
Onto Ridge Road and check Garmin. Just past two miles into race and running at an average pace of 6:41. Time to see if there will be a race today. We’ve been shoulder to shoulder so far, so start taking the pace down in steps. JW is coming with me until about 2.5 miles in where he slips in behind. Third mile split 6:01. Continue to take the pace down as we come by the clock at the end of the first loop. I pass it at 20:12 with JW less than ten meters off my heels. Can still hear his heavy footsteps. Into a downhill and I hammer it. Was running in silence at the bottom of the hill.
Time for the heavy lifting. Take the two hills on Main Street with short strides and quick turnover. Fourth mile split 6:08. More hills, some wind (but maybe a little less than first lap), and starting to lap and dodge walkers now. Fifth mile split 6:23. Get back onto Ridge Road a second time. Hardest part over, so check where I’m at. Average pace now good enough for sub-40, but the course is long, so will have to get after it.
Continue passing walkers and now some of the slower 5K runners. Using them pull on. Sixth mile split 6:12. Trying to take advantage of every little decline and hitting it hard as finish line approaches. Do not get a look at the clock until I’m right up on it. First look and its still in the high 39:4Xs. I’m good. Finish the last 0.32 in 1:47 for a 5:40 pace.
Take the Overall Win. First since April 2010. 39:53 is 10K PR even with the extra distance. (6:19 pace is 39:15 10K…on a nasty little course…love it!) Lapsplits -- 20:12 / 19:41. Last race as 49 year-old. In review of 49th year:
Total Races (11) 1st OA – 1 / 2nd OA – 3 / 3rd OA – 3. AG 1st – 8 / AG 2nd – 3. PRs @ 2-Mile, 5K, 10K, & 12K. PRs in last three races (2-Mile, 5K, & 10K). Much more than I could have asked for.