As I'm warming up who should show up? Yup, That Guy. We exchanged greetings and warmed up together. I had started my warm up at home by implementing the famous Two Poop Principle pioneered by Marky and I during our UE days. According to our research, today's race should go pretty well.
Goal for today was to make sure my time in Astoria in May was not a fluke. I was hoping to improve mostly on my pacing, going out slower and not dying so much the last mile. The race started with 3/4 lap around the high school track with a finish down the home stretch. It's a small, local run, my favorite type. No overblown hoopla, an organized race timing company, lots of local volunteers.
After the National Anthem we quickly got under way. As I rounded the track I reminded myself to slow down. We exited the high school athletic fields and were soon on the parade route. I could feel the effort and was concerned it was too fast, but I had slowed from when I was on the track. Relax and be comfortable. Mile 1, 7:41! Shit, faster than Astoria!
I immediately slowed my pace, hoping to avert a disaster. I was no longer enjoying the crowds that were waiting for the parade and halfheartedly cheering us...we were the boring pre-act after all. As I continued That Guy was no help, reminding me of my pre-race goal. How does a plodding, stiff stride keep up with my 7:41? I did my best to ignore him, which was fairly easy as I was concentrating on the heaviness entering my legs and air not entering my lunges.
Mile 2 finally arrived 8:07 later. At least I'd slow to the pace I should have started, but I could tell it was too late. As we turned onto Main Street I tried to pay more attention to the crowd to take my mind off the hurting. It was a 3/4 mile straight before turning into the athletic fields and onto the track. I could feel I'd slowed, I felt like I was plodding along, as I ran on the edge of the street high fiving any kid who wanted one and trying to keep my "oh fucks" quiet, it is a family race after all. If I'd seen one of those signs saying "high five here for a power boost" I was ready to say the sign needed to be re-charged. I mantra was now "don't walk too many people watching." I passed mile 3 in 8:50 after the mile 2 sign, nice training run pace.
On to the track and across the finish line. 25:21. God I hurt. Grabbed a bottle of water and walked the pain away. That Guy came up as I was recovering, "Still haven't learned have you?"
Final results, 25:21, 8:10 pace, 126 of 482 overall, 92 of 230 in gender group, 2nd in AG. AG winner was 24:55, but he was at the young end of the spectrum! Just 4 seconds slower than Astoria, the quicker first mile took it's toll again.
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