Notes
Temp 66 Wind 12 mph. Humidity 87%.
Five mile tune up jog. Woke up with headache and it looks like its wanting to stick around. (Hope its not the start of a head cold.) Legs may be a couple of hours behind schedule on recovery, but should be fine in 24 hours. Started faster than what I intended (low 9s), backed down, creeped up again, backed it down. Finally settled into mid-9s after a couple of miles. Upper right quad and hip flexor little tight at end, but generally good overall.
Getting close to showtime. Weather Channel says sunny, 47, with 8 mph winds. Don't know the exact course, but I am so familar with every street in the town that I've been able to visualize running fast all through the south-end. Most of the last mile is a route I walked or rode my bike on to grade school everyday throughout the early 70s. Nearly 40 years ago, geeze. Can still picture every slight elevation change and the crown in the road. That may feel a little surreal flying to the finish line.
RD said expects 75-100 runners. Out of a field that size, I cannot imagine there being more than five faster than me. I'm aware of 3-4 adult runners in that area that can bust out an 18 or better, but will all or any be there? Only seen them in person once or twice, so will I be able to pick them out? If there are at least five runners faster than me, there should be at least a couple of 18:30-19:30ers. If I can't win the race or finish in the top two or three, will be satisfied to latch on to one of these guys and run a PR.