Notes
Purple Valley Classic 8k @ Williams (Mt Greylock HS). Top 7 sat out, top 3 from this race joining them at Paul Short. Pretty tough course, all grass/ trails with a big hill at the two and 4 mile marks.
Not a good race. Didn't think I would make the top 3, but hoped to run in the low 29 minute range. Pretty much followed my game plan through two miles, ran right with Paul, first mile 5:35 and then the second was slower. Hit the big hill at mile 2 and my legs hurt and then everyone started passing me. Suffered through miles 3 and 4, Eddy & Steve passed me on the hill and then I did an ok job of going with them to the end. (A little surprised that Eddy and Jackson are 10+ seconds ahead of me in the results, I didn't think I was more than 10-20m back from them.)
Probably need to go out slower. I didn't come close to averaging 5:35's (no one on the team was that fast) so it's probably a little stupid to go out at that pace (even if it felt alright). Once I started to fall back and got rolled by a million people, I was pretty mentally crushed. Next time will probably try to go out at a pace for an even or slight negative split. Coach also pointed out that I was shuffling along, so I guess I really need to focus on lifting up and driving my legs more. Obviously could use endurance work (tempos), particularly with hills in them.
Two more weeks of solid training and then SPAC 8k. Know I'll PR, but hopefully will by a good margin.
Props to Eddy for a great race today