Coach and I decided to get back into road racing during the triathlon off-season this year to work on my run and pick up some more speed for next year and get my 10K under 33min. I hadn't done a road race in 2 years and quite honestly forgot how painful they can be. I also have no clue what I'm doing tactically during these races so trying to improve on this from race to race observing other racers. My first two races (hilly 10k and relatively flat 8k) went pretty well but I really goofed going out way too hard out of the shoot and racing out front which resulted in a steady drop off each mile and not really a consistent effort. So, the goal for this race was to run a more consistent effort and no jack rabbit starts. I knew the course was going to be hilly and wasn't quite sure how much strength I had in the legs following a 3 hour ride the previous day. No taper for this race. The competitive side of me hates this but these races are to improve training so I've had to accept the fact I won't be 100% fresh.
Race day: I still can't get used to the concept getting up at the butt crack of dawn for races. I have to eat before morning workouts or races which meant 0500 rising to make sure everything was settled. Ate breakfast, drove to the race site in the fog but the temperature was a pretty mild 50F for December.
Checked in a then caught a quick snooze in the car. Then some EFS drink + pre-race powder (aka "Race Crack") for a little rocket fuel and 10 min warm-up. Hamstrings were a little tight so made sure to stretch well and get in a few pick-ups. Everything was revved and ready to roll. Saw a few guys warming up and figured out who was probably going to be running out front (one guy tricked me though). Gun went off at 0745 and we were off. One guy decided he wanted to run out front so I looked at my watch and we were right around 5:10 which felt comfortable so I stuck right behind is right shoulder to observe a bit. Everyone else was about 30-40M back. I noticed he was breathing like and Ox plowing the field on the first hill so figured I would gap in on the downhill - success. It amazes me how many people can't run downhill. Took the lead out through the turn hit a few more hills. Not knowing the course was a bit of a disadvantage here - one guy bridged up to me right before we hit a big hill around mile 2 and then gapped me on the hill. Made up a little ground on the down slope but couldn't close the gap. He and another guy (JMU CC and UMC CC jerseys) got out front of me by maybe 15-20M heading into the final turn. My lack of experience hurt me here (I couldn't decide what to do and then made my decision too late) and I didn't try to bridge the gap soon enough before they started sprinting for the finish. 7seconds off first and 4 seconds off second. Lesson learned for next race. Still very happy with the effort on a hilly course. Fun to see my wife and baby boy after the race. Colt had on his "daddy's little runner" shirt, no doubt the little dude will be out running soon enough.
Final results:
Time: 17:04 (5:17, 5:35, 5:41)
Place: 3rd overall out of 268
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