Happy Thanksgiving!!! What a great way to start off the holiday. 8:30 A.M. start worked out perfectly as I slid the stuffed turkey into the oven at 7:30 and made my way out to the race. Weather was pretty exceptional with temps in the low 50's and a clear sunny day.
I came into this race with absolutely no idea what to expect. Having done no speed work- unless you count long races and tempo runs as speed work for a 5k. Plus the legs no longer seem to have a second gear. I seem to be able to run as fast as I can for as long as I want- sort of. I was hoping for 6 minute miles as I felt I could possibly take advantage of my big base. That's exactly what happened except they were 6:04 miles and every mile I ran was right about there.
I kept the leader in view the whole way and with just over a mile and a long gradual uphill and down hill I made a move. The gap started to close and by the time the leader hit the bottom of the hill I had closed the gap from 150 yards to about 50. As he took the corner I saw him peek over his shoulder and I thought I had him. Sadly, as I rounded the same corner he had accelerated and started extending the lead again. I had nothiong to respond with and slowly watched him pull away. If he hadn't responded so strongly I probably would have run a bit faster for the final 1/2 mile but I didn't. Sadly I missed a p.r. by 3 seconds. Still Thanksgiving dinner was awesome and there was no guilt about overeating. One more race to go and my season is over. It can't get here quick enough. | 