Notes
3rd Annual Halloween Mile. Ran at the Pembroke track. The top 9 sat: the top 5, Jesse, Johnny, Christian, and Mikey D. It was good weather- sunny, a little cold, not too windy. I wasn't really expecting much out of this race- hoping to break 5:10. I didn't rest at all for this race- I had a 5k tuesday, long run wednesday, distance runs thursday and friday, and lifting yesterday. My plan for this race was just to allow others to dictate the pace, stay in contact with the leaders, and then kick with 500-800 to go.
After some hilarious introductions by Z, the race began. I was in a good spot, the second-third lane, on the line. When the gun went off, I got right into the first lane and slid up a bit on the first corner, positioning myself in 6th or 7th by the back straight. The pack was all fairly compact, but I had some space where I was. I moved up into 4th or 5th as we finished the first lap in about 66. I continued to hold my position. I knew that we were a little quick, but I've raced the mile enough to know that going out that fast is fairly reasonable, if not ideal, and I still felt pretty relaxed. I just kept telling myself that I was in control, that I could hold the pace we were going at, and remained focused on racing. Over the next two laps I kept sliding up, picking kids off one by one as they fell back. The 800 was about 2:25 (79). With 700 to go I was in second. I reeled Jared Stack in on the far corner, and with 500 to go passed him. I felt very strong- ready to close in a fast lap. The third lap was about 3:43 (78). I worked hard over the last 400, and really sprinted on the final straight, afraid that Jared would catch me. I finished the race in 4:54; Jared was 3 seconds back in 4:57 (impressive). My (estimated) splits were: 66-79-78-71.
I'm very happy with this race. I wasn't really expecting much from it, especially given that I didn't rest for it and I haven't done many workouts, particularly track-oriented workouts. Last year, it took me a season and a half of track before I began to PR again. This year, I have already matched my PR, and hopefully will be able to improve the entire two seasons.