My top goal was not to be dead last like last year! To that end, I went out a bit faster than usual to get ahead of a few people. Once I got ahead of them, there was only 1 person I was "racing", although she was only in her 50's. We traded positions several times & in the end I was two seconds ahead. There was a pair of women in their 70's just ahead of her that I was hopeful of catching, but it never happened.
My GPS is still in repair, so I could monitor only HR, which I did throughout. I kept it pretty much where I wanted it, a hair more aggressive than in previous races. It's pretty hard to run cross-country by pace anyway because of the variability of the terrain.
I guess I did a good job, because my time was a substantial PR, and this time I know the course was accurately measured. I felt strong throughout, running near or at threshold, with enough left at the end for a serious push the last half-mile. Nothing hurt.

I think I'm on the right track. I just need to continue my training program, especially including all the hip flexibility & strength.
I also am gaining confidence to push myself harder, and can still do more in that direction.

Ran easy about 1.6 miles with Lorrie; didn't feel so dead during that as at the last race. Had Recoverite & recovery bar. I wanted to do my Core Routine & stretching, but there was a lot of wandering around trying to get everyone together for a team photo. When I realized I was 3rd in my AG, I was determined to get my medal before leaving. I had to wait around over a hour to get it, and there was really no place to do my exercises. It was also freezing cold & very windy.



Just need more training!



This was a much bigger race than last year at Bend, and I was especially inspired to see so many women running even older than me. There were 6 in my AG, 7 in 70-75, and 6 in 75-80! Three of the 70's and 2 of the 75's were faster than me!
While waiting around to get my medal, I had a good time educating couple of young women volunteers from the Lehigh track team who were were totally clueless about the history of women in running. I told them about Kathrine Switzer story & life.. They were astonished & appalled that there was a time when women weren't allowed to run.
I also got to see a bit of the later races, men's masters & women's & men's open. I had a moment when I really felt the beauty of cross-country racing, and also was a bit overwhelmed by perceiving that the many hundreds of people there, both runners & spectators, all love running.
I had a good season overall, and hope I can do it again next year. (But not Nationals, which will be in San Francisco. Too much $$)