The strategy: first 2 mi ~7min/mi, pick up for the next 3 mi, then hammer it home.
What really happened:
Went out “comfortably” just behind a pack with a lot of familiar faces: which is good, tells me I’m not being aggressive at least. We got to the 1st mi marker and I heard someone behind me hit his lap button so I asked what the time was. “6:25” I hear. Oops. felt OK, but knew I needed to slow it down a tad so I let the pack drift forward a bit. I wanted to run my own race. So I just “maintained” going out and was mentally preparing myself for a fast return (which was with the wind). As turnaround approached I really starting to feel poor – weak, out of form, just drained.
Paul never really pulled away (I believe I counted ~6sec back at the turn, which he said was less than 21min). Saw Scott shortly after that downing some water and nearly missed him. This 4th mile is where I really started to fall off. The ache in my right side turned into a very terrible stitch. I pulled the pace back a bit, got passed by a few people. Started to think about dropping out of the race at this point (which I never have done), but walking back seamed only slightly less appealing. Just after the 4mi marker I had to stop (which I have never done in a running race). This got the hr down and my side started feeling better. Started up again and easing into a pace where I was playing around with my side stitch coming back. All during the return I was really trying to find a strong mental focus to see if I could isolate the aches, but couldn’t. I managed to get my pace back up (probably below 8min/mi again). Didn’t bother pushing the last ½ mi nor kick it in. I was surprised to see 44 min on the race clock (overall finish ~15sec slower than the same race last year). I thought 43min was realistic and still feel that had I "felt healthy" I would have come in below 43min.


stick to my race strategy first. no need to go out in 6:25 - that pace isn't sustainable.

very easy trot out to 1mi marker and back with Paul & Scott


nasty ass side stitch. worst I've ever experienced.


CMRA membership: 14 races for $25 - all well-done.