Notes
Somewhat pleased with this effort. I feel like on a course like Nokomis, this might have come in around 16:20 or so. I also might have been better off if I'd have felt more warmed up.
Before the gun it was obvious this race we between Chris and I, with Amy Lyons possibly hanging around in the first mile or so. I was really hoping to have someone else there faster to race with. Instead this turned into more of a time trial for Chris and I.
The first mile was a bit strange. Got off the line and there was a small, but definitely significant hill to get over. Tried to be smooth over it to keep the heart rate from spiking in the first quarter mile of the race. Got over it and tried to smooth out. Looked and was around 5:02 pace probably a half mile in. Tried to maintain that and did so until we started climbing just a bit again. Also a small headwind that didn't help. Obviously the pace slowed as we started to climb the next big hill.
Heading into mile to I could see the big hill and also a street that turned left right before it. I was praying for the lead vehicle to make the turn, but figured we were probably going straight up over the hill. Tried to maintain my tempo headed over it. Could hear Chris' footsteps all the way. Once I got to the top, we had a solid downgrade the rest of the way in that mile. I tried to take advantage by keeping my turnover high and recover a bit at the same time. Third mile was flat and straight until the last quarter and .1 of the 5K. Again, just pushing as hard as I could now and trying to keep Chris at bay.
Made a left with a little less than half mile to go. Snuck a peek and he was probably only about 30 yards back. Told myself I was probably beat at that point, but I was going to make him hurt to get me. Started pushing even harder at that point and tried to hold that as long as I could. Got through the last stoplight and tried to hammer the downhill as hard as I could and into the parking lot...FTW.
Somewhat happy. Wish I could have had a bit more control of the HR the first mile or so and I think I could have run quite a bit faster. Predictor from Ron was right around 2:38, so I'll take this one.