Notes
Advertised as 15 but between 13.2-13.8 from what I seen on gps watches. Going into race was gunning for sub 1:50 and around 1:45ish finish which my guess is the course ran 4-7 minutes faster so i was probably around what i wanted or expected. Ran on my own so might have been a little more time in there but overall i ran strong.
At the line figured I would be one of the top people at the race. From the gun set the pace and could hear someone chasing behind for the first 1k or so but turned on first trail and began to open gap. DIdn't look back for a bit. Got to the ridge and question myself for a second but then just went for it and I was good. Ridge was rolling with net gain. Never could see anyone. Got to far end of ridge and took single track trail. Around 37 mins at this point. Was working it down and running this section well. A little before the hour mark some slight ups and I was slowing a little i felt but kept moving. Took gels at 50 and 75 minutes more so to get use to gels then actually needing. They went down fine. Got to the lake and knew around 2 miles to go. Part thought I had a shot at sub 1:40 then some i worried about 1:45. Got to where I warmed up and pushed in strong.
Overall i think a solid day. I feel i was fairly strong on the uphills given where i have been at and ran the down and technicall sections well i think. A couple points a little weak on uphill but got time to work on it. On my own the whole days but don't think i overly settled. Just not knowing the course hard to delve out energy so with comp or knowing course there is more there but overall pushed decent.