Possibly my best day of running ever. Have thought so much about the race, better start writing it down before it fades. Goal for the race - sub 3. No more, no less. After chasing this goal for no less than 4 years, having two 3 flat times (+seconds), a 3:01 and getting a little sidetracked, I was not about to let another opportunity slip away. I diabolically planned out my attack, dividing the course into 7 sections and set my mind like a bear trap that I was not going to give the race away. Slept lousy - was more anxious than I've been in a long time for a race. Woke up and everything was ready though ate, drank and got down to the buses. Start line was super warm - didn't even want to be near the fires. Got in some good stretching and a good little warmup then it was time to go. Started a few seconds back from the timing mat & started watch right before crossing. Section 1: Start to 5 miles. Plan here was to basically just not go out to fast. Knew it would be easy and tempting to bank time early, but plan was to resist the urge but stay comfortably below 6:50. Felt fine, HR was in control and pace felt very natural. Wiped sweat from my brow @ very first mile marker, knew it was going to be a hot one.
6:37 6:48 6:27 6:28 6:43 Section 2: 5 miles to bottom of Veyo Plan here was to dial it up as much as I felt like. Veyo is an inevitability so 2 or so quick miles shouldn't derail anything, right? Pushed pace up until HR was several BPM over avg and stayed there until the base of Veyo.
6:06 6:06 Section 3: Veyo through 11 Despite feeling like I was really dogging it, hill split was ~20 seconds better than last year. Ran by HR through here, wanted to keep it right @ avg to that point. Didn't worry so much about the pace. I believe I have pushed too hard through Dammeron too much in previous years, worried about banking time. Not this year, watched my HR & hydrated a lot.
7:32 7:14 7:04 7:26 Section 4: 11 through start of hill above Snow Returned to pace from start of the race (glad to see it was still sort of there). Didn't want to start really pushing yet, just wanted to get though the half without leaving too much work in the 2nd half but quicker than through Dammeron.
6:53 6:46 6:44 6:12 Section 5: Hill above snow - 18 Was very pleased to round the corner and head down toward Snow. Dialed the pace back up to where I was coming into Veyo, but it did feel a little harder on my legs so I didn't try to hold on for as long. Felt good pushing down past Snow but backed off the gas for 16 to 18. Was very stoked to be running well here; last year this is where the legs were done, the year before this where I thought the weather was the worst - bad rain & wind.
6:07 6:36 6:48 Section 6: Mile 18ish Decided to take this hill very easy and let the legs recover a little. Was a little surprised it wasn't quicker to be honest, so I stayed with an easy pace until a little further past 19. Glad I did - HR came down nicely and felt prepared to burn the house down for the last 10k.
7:29 Section 7: 20 to the finish Arrived @ 20 mile clock at 2:15:xx - 3 minutes faster than ever before and legs still felt ready to race. Despite early intentions of running @ higher HR, felt I still needed to be smart so I tried to stay not too far above avg HR to this point (163). Fortunately, that was right around a 6:40 pace for me so I just ran with that. Just before Diagonal, saw a friend riding his bike up the course and gave me great energy - was very happy to see him. While I was not willing at any point to let myself think the sub 3 was in the bag, in going over the math with him, saying it out loud was very reassuring and I turned onto Diagonal super energized.
6:48 6:28 6:55 6:45
6:30 6:40 6:32 1:39 (@5:49) 2:56:35. Not sure where official results are posted yet...I think I saw 89th overall at the finish line results. Also managed to sneak into 3rd place overall for the Grand Slam - first time ever to set foot on a podium. Was kind of fun.
One of the best races ever - was soo very happy to get it done this time. Difference was definitely in my training. Worked up to some quality high mileage runs, also HR schooling was very beneficial. (avg 165, max 182) I think I'll do another. Nutrition should be noted for future reference: carried 3 GU's (tri-berry) and 2 packages of shot blok's (orange). Ate all GU's & all bloks throughout race + water at almost every AS.
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