Notes
Ok, back for a real report. I ate well the day before (unlike Eugene in May, when I didn't get much in me the day before, then ran out of energy at mile 18). I slept pretty well too, waking up once at 1 am for a little bit. Got to the start line and was happy to see there was no 3:10 pacer. I didn't want to rely or be influenced by some dude holding a sign. Ran a quick 0.5 miles to warm-up. Weather was perfect, about 45 degs and overcast. I felt great at the start, and after mile five, I knew I should slow it down a bit. Come miles 13 to 19, I was just trying to hit 7:15 per mile, knowing that the hills began at mile 20.
Mile 20 - 22 the hills came on. Here's what I saw at on mile 20:
http://tinyurl.com/ydstyb9
I slowed a bit on the climb, but lost a couple of the other folks who had been running about the same pace as me since mile 5 or so.
Felt strong, knowing that the elevation max'ed out at about mile 23, and that at mile 23 I had better be under 2:46:46. I surely was, and was feeling really good about it. Mainly downhill after that. My legs were getting tired, I think I was pushing it pretty hard those last couple miles, but I really wasn't watching the clock like I was the previous 23 miles, I was just hitting 'lap' and trying to go hard without dying.
First half run in 1:31:58 Second half run in 1:37:08
Happy I finally got to run my hometown, and that my folks were able to come out to watch.
Truly a banner race for me, maybe my best performance so far. A personal best and Boston qualifying time. Fuck Yeah!