Running the STG for the 4th year in a row. Had made improvements each time, so I hoped this year would be the same. Had some ups and downs during training dealing with some injuries (who doesn't), but felt like I had a solid block of training leading up to the race. Ended up running 2:51:48, which was a new PR for me by a little over 3 minutes. So I was happy with the time and felt like I ran just about as hard as I could.
Got a ride up to the start from my dad with my brother, my sister, James Scott and Brayden. Got up there at about 6. Time to relax a little, hit the port-a-potties and get ready to run. Felt decent up at the top, not as cold as last year but ok. Race started about 15 minutes late. Plan was to run with James and we were shooting for the 2:50 range.
Started out relaxed and easier pace. Miles flew by quickly. Started sweating heavier than I wanted, so I made sure to have good hydration at all the stations. Ended up drinking some gatorade and water at most stations along with dumping some water on my head. Got the the 5k point with a 6:32 average (6:38, 6:36, 6:21). Picked it up the next 3 miles and hit the 10k with a 6:23 average (6:15, 6:17, 6:10). Was happy to be at this pace approaching Veyo, maybe even a little faster than planned. Mile 7 was also pretty fast (6:08) and then started up Veyo. Still felt fresh and moving well. Went up Veyo and then subsequent few miles of climbing. Felt ok going through this. Pace was probably a little slower than I would have liked, but didn't want to push it too hard and blow up later on. Started getting a side stitch somewhere around mile 11, which is weird for me because I hardly ever get them. Luckily it went away fairly quickly and didn't bother me again. Miles 8-13 (7:12, 7:01, 6:51, 7:02, 6:43, 6:24). Hit the halfway point in 1:26:40, 6:37 pace. Our goal for the halfway point was to be 1:26:xx, so James and I were pretty much right on target.
Started the 2nd half of the race and hoping to make up some time on the downhill portions. We started to pick up the pace and had some fast miles here. Things still felt good and nothing much was really bothering me. Got to the 30k point with a 6:30 average pace. Miles 14-18 (6:20, 6:05, 6:07, 6:16, 6:20). This was right about where we wanted to be. Hoped we could still drop the pace a little over miles 20-23 to come in under 2:50.
Somewhere around this point James said his calf was starting to bother him a little. I remember telling him at mile 20 that we just had a 10k left to do. Miles 19-23 (6:47, 6:31, 6:16, 6:33, 6:38). Got into the valley and I am starting to hurt. My pace the last couple of miles has dropped a little despite some significant downhill. Just fatigued and pressing forward to finish. James has dropped back a little so we aren't running together anymore and it has gotten hot in the valley. I know sub 2:50 probably won't happen, but I can definitely PR and run a good race. Somewhere between mile 24 and 25, Angie passes me looking strong. I try to stay with her and do for maybe a half mile or so. I looked down at my watch and we were right around 6:00 pace at one point. Couldn't stay with here and finished up the last mile. Miles 24-end (6:39, 6:45, 6:52, 1:50). Finished the 2nd half in 1:25:08. So a little over 1 minute negative split to finish 2:51:48.
I was happy with the race and ran about as well as I could have on that day. Congrats to everyone on the race. Will see what comes next.
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