I felt real good coming into this race and was realy hoping to run a p.r.. Weather conditions were pretty good. No wind with temps in the 50's. Just a little drizzle to start but it quickly cleared up. The idea going out was to start harder than I usually would. I have a tendency to go out and try to run even splits. I've recently come to the conclusion that by going out slow I'm not giving myself an opportunity to run an exceptional race. Today had the potential of a great race.
I started out trying to push the pace early but still stay under control. My first mile split was 5:37 and I found myself in a group of about 5 other runners with the 2 leaders a full 150 yards ahead. I usually go out in 6:00 or so so I was definetly out of my comfort zone, just as I'd planned. That group of 5 jockeyed for position for the next half mile. I just tried to maintain my effort and not allow anyone to lose contact. At about the half way point I put a little push on and left the pack behind. I hit the 2 mile mark with a 5:40 and was still feeling good. I'd extended my lead to about 70 yards by this point and was pulling away as the group behind me dropped off. At 2.5 miles I went through an intersection and was putting a little push on to the finish. I was darn excited to say the least as I knew I was going to have a great time and finally break the 6 minute mile barrier I've been hoping for for over a year. About 120 yards after the intersection I took a peak over my shoulder and lo and behold; there's no one behind me. I can see a runner turning the corner that I had gone straight through. Talk about depressing. I turn around and rejoin the race course. I no longer have any idea where I'm at in the race place wise and I really don't care. I'm just kicking myself for being so stupid. Needless to say I don't exactly finish with a big kick. I hold my position and end up running a 19:22 which I would have been thrilled with last year at this time. Today it's a a major disappointment.
Well it turns out that there were supposed to be police along the course but they showed up a half hour late so that's why there was no one at the intersection. While I was doing my warm down I went back up to the place I got lost and there was a cop stationed there. I guess sometimes things just don't work out.
Good news is that according to my Garmin I still broke the 6 minute pace for my extended run. I can't use this as a p.r. but it tells me that I am definetly going to lower it on Memorial day.
final numbers according to the Garmin.
3.33 miles
19:22
ave pace 5:50 | 