Notes
I just don't know what to do with this.
I went out strong but slow. I was in 3rd place at the very beginning, behind a guy that looked serious and a 10 year old kid.
Maybe 200 in, the kid dropped off and 2 other dudes passed me. I stuck right on the back of the second one, and felt pretty darn good. My hamstring was there... It wasnt complaining much... I felt good.
There were no mile markers or anything... so after I would guess about a mile, we started reeling in the first guy. Pretty soon I was in third, but maybe only 10 feet behind 1st place. Felt great... in fact felt like I should have been running faster...
Then I take the turn off to the 5k, and the other 3 take the 10k turn off. I am now by myself... Really really by myself... I can't sense anyone else at all...
At about oh, 12 or 13 minutes... my hammy complained just a bit, so I slowed down until it stopped... Now I am going probably 7 minute pace? I dunno...
At the very end, say 400 to go, my hammy complained again, so I slowed down again. The finish was like 3/4s of a lap around a really nice track and then into a parking lot. I finished... they gave me my time which seemed crazy fast... (no way I was going 5:45 for the last mile...)
I turned in my race number, got my medal, got my tshirt, an orange, a banana, a goody bag... sat down.. and finally the next runner came into sight. Over 4 minutes behind me. (A 14 year old girl)
I double checked the course with one of the workers to make sure that I didn't end up cutting a corner or something, but it was pretty well marked...
Oh well... Not sure what to do with the time... I guess I just chalk it up to a short course and go on with my life...
I did talk to some of the other runners... Many of them ended up running slower than expected... So I am at a loss...
Aftermath: hammy is a bit tender, but ok... I'll probably take tomorrow off and then start working on running again... maybe just do 2-3 miles a day and keep it slow enough there is no pain...