Notes
Ramapo Northeastern Challenge, flat 3k. Just missed the cutoff for heat 1 (had hoped to run with Aldous + Mike), but heat 2 ended up being a good place for me. Knew I was gonna PR big, wasn't sure what to shoot for, coach told me to just go out with the leaders and move up when I felt good. I thought I ran great for the first two thirds of the race, I felt really relaxed, hung back a little at the start but stayed in contact and then did a good job of moving up as the race progressed. Kept stepping over the rail for some reason though. With 1k to go I wasn't really sure what to do, felt pretty good but didn't want to go too early and run out of gas. Ran hard on the penultimate lap to put myself in a great spot, then made way too weak a move going into the final lap, I got into 1st but didn't keep the pedal to floor and got passed right back. Kicked hard last 200m but only got 3rd. Splits:
72.6, 75.3, 74.7, 74.0, 74.9, 76.2, 149.17 (final 600, 72.7 pace).
Bummed I didn't win, but definitely happy with the race overall. I felt really good for most of it and think I could have definitely ran faster if the pace had stayed a little quicker through the middle of the race. 26 sec PR, Purdy gives it a 4:37.62 mile but I'm bringing my statline closer to even. Way stronger performance than last year's first race (or any race last spring). Pumped for the steeple next weekend! Ready to go after the 10 minute barrier in my home state.
BUMP not BEETS!!!