Sunday morning started great as predicted, we looked at the big harvest moon around 7 AM. Big fog rolled in by 8 when I left, drive was slow due to visibility. Met some familiar faces and some new ones, just as we dispersed Luc walked up and introduced himself. Race started at 9:40, cool and sunny.
I tried to go out easy, first 3 splits were 4:45, 4:41, 4:41, but I felt good. Sanders caught up to me and talked for 5 minutes before going off to catch his wife. I took it cautiously through the hills, Ks 4 to 10. I had 4 splits over 5 minutes, but by still at the half my average pace was 4:55 which was 15 seconds ahead of race plan. I felt strong.
After the halfway water stop, it levelled out along the ridge. I started laying out my midrace solid pace, which now seems to be low 4:50s. Started passing 5 people to each one that passed me. By K 15 we headed down some and then back. At this point I felt really strong. There were 2 or 3 people that I was running with, and we were passing everybody. By 18 I lost those people too, splits toward the end were 4:44, 4:35, 4:39, 4:24. And the last half at 4:08 pace; my Garmin said i meandered 21.42 K at 4:49 pace. Sportstats said 4:55 pace. I finished in 1:43:29 gun, 1:43:19 chip. 107 out of 550. I felt great. Talked to the gang and had some grub, waited just long enough to see the results. It was a beautiful day. On the way out, I saw in the car rearview, some woman putting a large pylon on her head, captured by a guy with abig lens.
Hit the beer and the hammock in little bros. backyard, life is good. After 6, I feel that for some reason, that might have been as good a result as I've done. 2nd best time ever, on a tougher course, without trying flat out from the start.
Next week, it's back to the trails in London, Vulture Bait 25 k.
and, congratulations, again, on another awesome performance ..... 
