Notes
Going into this race I wasn't sure how fast or not I could run this. I though if I could manage a 43:something i would be happy but there was a part of me that wondered if maybe i could go sub-43. The plan going in was to run a 4:20ish first km and keep it conservative and then take it from there.
1st km - As always a bunch of people went out crazy fast, but i kept myself in check and tried to run my own race. Hit the first km marker at 4:18...no problem.
2nd km - I knew there was a downhill and an uphill in this km of the course and knew I didn't want to wind myself on the uphill. Passed quite a few people on the downhill. A lot of people that the fast pace seemed to be catching up with them, lots of huffing and puffing was heard here. Pretty humorous really... Anyways hit the hill conservatively and passed a bunch more people right after the hill as they were winded. 2nd km: 4:17
3rd km - The pack had comfortably settled in by now and was just trying to stay relaxed. Took a check of my breathing and was surprised at how comfortable it still was. Was really focused on my form trying to keep everything efficient. 3rd km - 4:10
4th km - Started to feel a little queasy in my stomach, not sure if it was the effort or what but something was just slightly amiss. Slowed down just a wee bit. 4th km - 4:16
5th km - Was feeling the start of a cramp in my right side and was a little worried about that. I knew I was on pace for my goal and didn't want to blow that up with cramp issues so I slowed down a little more, was passed by a couple people here. First lap done, took a look at the clock 21:32. Hmmm 43 something was defintly in reach but what about sub 43. Decided I was going for it, no matter what didn't want to feel like I left something out there.
6th km - Really focused in on my turnover trying to keep it up. Any cramp feeling had passed and was ready to keep on going.
7th km - Again the downhill than uphill. Really tried to take advantage of the downhill here and saw that I was closing in on the 2 people who passed me in the 4th km. Again I took the uphill conservatively so as not to wind myself. Right as we crested the hill I passed the 2 who had passed me earlier. They were in pretty rough shape and was pretty sure they would fall off pace from here on out. This was my fast km of the race @ 4:10
8th km - Fatigue was setting in here but I just figured I can hold for another 2 km. I mean whats 2k...pssh... piece of cake right...
9th km - Wrong, Here is where I think having a bit of race experience helped, I think earlier I would have just run out the race and probably fallen of pace. Instead a made a conscious effort to keep my turnover up and my stride long. That focus made all the difference i'm sure.
10th km - As the finish line came into view I took my first peak at my watch since the first km and saw 41:32 and thought holy crap I'm going to do this...i'm actually going to do this. There was not a lot of kick left in me but I held it together through to the end. My breathing was atrocious, ragged and loud but hey I pulled it out. Looked up as I crossed the finish line 42:49....
Official Time: 42:50 -47th overall
First Half - 21:32
Second Half - 21:18
A negative split, I beat my goal by over a minute and a top 50 finish. Pretty sweet all in all. Knocked almost 7 mins from my PR.