I had another great run this morning in Dallas. I got up at 4:15, got dressed, drove 40 miles to Darin's house. Ate a banana and a piece of toast with honey and peanut butter for breakfast. Got the race at about 7:20 (8:00am start), picked up out bibs and event shirts, jogged a little and at about 8:01 we were off.
The weather was great. It was supposed to be about 45 at the start so I wore shorts, a singlet, and gloves. Not much wind at all.
The course circles White Rock Lake in Dallas, and has a few excursions back and forth through some various trails to make up the 13.1 mile course. For the most part it is flat. A few small ups and downs, and a .2 mile climb at the finish.
Before I started I was thinking that I would try to run around 7:00/mi for as long as possible. (my PR run at White Rock in December I ran about 7:08/mi -- so I figured with all the training I've been doing and the ideal weather conditions, I should at least try to beat that) (I also wanted to see if I could beat Darin and Dave, who both finished ahead of me at White Rock -- we're very evenly matched--on any given day, any one of us could win our little 3-man race)
After dodging a few walkers and joggers during the first mile, I managed a 7:03 -- it felt comfortable, so I picked it up a little and settled in with what I felt was a good pace. At about mile 5 Darin and Zachary (Darin's 17 yo son) caught me, and started to pass me -- as I settled in behind another guy..who I guess was slowing down without knowing it. So when D and Z went past, I decided to stick with them. About a mile later, I found myself ahead of them again and from the lack of breathing noises and foot pounding, I must have put a little distance between us (I never look back in a race).
At about mile 9 Zachary came flying by - he must have went from 7:00s to 6:30s -- I knew he would probably finsh ahead of me, so I wished him luck.
The last 4 miles seemed to take the longest. I was determined to maintain the pace. According to my Garmin I was at about 7:02/mi. I passed about 4 people in the last mile and finished that final .2 mile uphill climb feeling pretty strong with a 1:33:12 (NEW PR!!)
Zachary finished about 30 seconds ahead of me, and Darin, then Dave finished within a minute or two behind me. Today was my day.
It turns out I placed 3rd in our AG!!!! (which put Darin and Dave 4th and 5th..out of the hardware)
I took home a glass plaque that says "Age Group Winner".
It was a great day here in Texas - as I write this it's about 75F outside! I need to get outside and enjoy this little taste of Spring.
Splits:
7:03,6:49,7:08,7:10,7:03,7:01,6:54,7:03,7:08,7:10,7:07,7:10,7:05, (6:40/mi last .2)
According to my Garmin:
13.20 miles/1:33:12
AP: 7:04 | 