Notes
What a great race! Finally got that sub-25 8k PR out of my system that was in there last year [conditions killed that at conference]. Legs felt great on my morning shakeout and warm-up, almost too much so (I historically haven't run well when my legs feel good). Also only went to the bathroom once, so that was abnormal too. I had no idea what to expect today with my training being so completely different this year, and I was worried about a fast start, because I haven't trained for that. I stuck with the leaders from the start and we went out in 4:48 and 9:45. I tucked in behind Skime and Stone, but by 3200 I had the lead. Yussuf from Manitoba joined me, and we ran side-by-side uninhibited for the remainder of the race. Last split I know was 12:21 at the 4k. Yussuf pulled ahead on the last little incline and pulled away from me on the final stretch, beating me by about a second, my time being 24:37, a 30 second PR. 2 thoughts:
1.) That was fun! We gapped the field and just kept pushing each other, neither of us giving an inch, pushing each other to the limit. I could hear his breathing, and he could hear mine- we were both giving it all. What fun!
2.) Apparently more miles, no days off, proper long runs, weightlifting, doing proper workouts, and no cross training is paying off! So pumped to get back into training now!
Afterwards cooled-down (legs felt junky after initially feeling good), stretched, did core and glutes, and called it a day. I know I worked hard because I have that deep cough that I usually get after indoor races.