So this was a tough but good day. Ran out of time to get in the full 4 miles during warmup and did a quick light stretch, some drills and one strideout before the gun! Race was packed and crowded up front so I kind of got sucked in a little but checked myself within a minute to not overdo it. After about 3/4 mile things opened up and I was feeling good so I opened up, too.
Course was rolling and fast during the first mile, so I was out in 5:40. 2nd mile had the one steep hill to contend with but I was okay the first time over it. Hit two miles in 11:40, exactly 6:00 for mile 2 BUT that’s with the hills. I was working. Mile 3 was a nice bounce-back, especially after I got back to the rolling parts. Came off the final hill hard, and pace went from 7:23 at the crest of the hill (2.5 miles in) to 5:49 at 2.75 to 5:08 at 3 miles! Finished HARD (watch said 4:27 pace from 3 miles to the finish with a FAST 3:54 pace as I hit the finish line!!!
Got a quick sip then opted for the 2x800m reps after but I’m an idiot and did .4 for the 1st one because I can’t add. So I did .6 for the second one, then a 5 mile cooldown with the crew! Very happy. This is a lifetime PR for any non-road course (and damned close to my road PR) and my fastest effort in about 10 months.
