Started out quick to get through the "posers" (i.e. the folks who have to be right at the front so they can run the 11:00 miles and gum things up for everyone else.) I started out strong (6:30 when I looked at my Garmin) and dodged folks. Then I "settled" in at about 7:00 and held on.

I felt much more comfortable than usual, probably a result of all the base training. I was pushing but it didn't burn when I was breathing and my legs were screaming at me, they were only whining.

I would notice my pace falling off from time to time. When this happened, all I had to do was re-engage my abs (I was sticking my butt out) and increase my stride rate. I was definitely able to hold better form in this race than any other. Another benefit of longer, slower runs.

The time above is a PR*. (The asterisk is for the 18:57 I ran in high school and will probably never duplicate. This is a PR for recent memory.) I PR'd by about 10 seconds over the race just last month. I'm maybe 2-3 pounds lighter than then, so that could be part of it.

Nothing. These races aren't even really C races; they're just something fun to do.

Light jog and walk for the .75 miles back to my hooch. With the warm-up and cool-down, I logged about 4.5 miles total, pretty close to my mileage goal.


Some extra weight and a lack of speed work. I'm working on the weight; the lack of speed work is by design.