I let a little too much time slip by, I've been busy and the race slipped my mind until I called Sasha on Tuesday or Wednesday. Training hasn't been great, I think I've been getting 20-30 mpw since my mile time trial, but I thought I could hit a sub-15:30 on this course.
The race started fast, I went through the mile in 4:35, and Sasha and Jeff were right in front of me. The pace was too fast for me, even on the downhill, so I backed off a little and they got a bit of time on me over the rest of the downhill.
The course turned left, leveled out and headed slightly uphill. I think Sasha had 10-12 seconds on me, so I focused on reeling him in now that the pace had slowed. I made up a little through 2 miles (9:35), and I think he had about 9 seconds on me. Over the remaining uphill, he and the guy he was with came slowly back, but I was quickly tiring. The effects of the low mileage caught up to me quickly, and the final mile was probably the most painful I've had in a long time.
My arms felt heavy, the legs were slowing and I just wanted to be done. I heard Sasha screaming here and there up ahead, and he was still coming back slowly, but I was pretty sure by that point that I wouldn't catch him.
The course turned right and headed down a short hill.... I should have gained some decent ground here, but I actually slowed down, my legs were jello. We turned right onto the final straightaway and I tried to kick. I think a better kick was there, but I couldn't pull it out. Sasha was not coming back any faster and it was clear that I wouldn't get him. I staggered over the line, glad to be done.
The race was a blast, though, and I'm sure I'll be back next year. I don't know when else I'll go through the first mile of a 5k in 4:35, there's something satisfying about that. | 