Notes
USATF-GP race: Amherst 10 miler. Intentionally challenging course. Thought I could run 58:20 or faster; needed at least 5:54 pace to win a burrito from Paul. Mission accomplished!
Started out very relaxed and conservatively which was the plan; grinded up the big hill in miles 3-4, passed a fair number of people, it sucked but stayed calm and told myself I would feel better later. The next stretch was weird, two miles of rolling dirt roads which were pretty soft underfoot. Didn't go too hard here, just kinda maintained what felt like the right effort - may have lost some focus here, perhaps could have pushed myself more. Woke up once we got back on the roads and then cruised down a nice longgg downhill segment. Hit the 8 mile mark in what I knew was a good time and started to open up on the flat stretch, but then SUFFERED the last mile - uphill into the wind. Legs were totally spent. Nobody came and got me though, so really I probably slowed down a normal amount relative to the field.
51st place, 11 spots better than NH 10 miler - some improvement! The time was 2:30 better, which I am very happy about as well, although I think that partially just confirms that the NH 10 miler course was ridiculous... it seems like most people ran at least some amount faster today than there. Didn't see Steve all race, but he was waiting for me at the finish!
Looking at last year, seems like many people ran as fast a pace at New Bedford; many ran a good bit faster! So, my goal for New Bedford will probably conservatively be to run this same pace, with 5:40s a reach goal for a great day.
JD gives this a 2:41:17 'thon equivalent, not quite what I want but getting there...