So off we go, and after about 100 Metres it appears that I'm running side by side for the lead.
Garmin says I'm running about a 3:50 pace, so I back off a bit and pull in behind the leader. Stays like that and we seem to build a lead. I glance back a couple of times in the first 2 K, see one guy in a blue shirt about 20 M back, then another gap to the pack. We settle in to a comfortable pace; splits 4:17, 4:22, 4:16, 4:18. Still all with me usually 2-3 M back; we have a bicycle escort ahead and everything. I try to not to be too embarrassed or egotistical about it all, just have fun playing the game. I try to pull ahead a couple of times, but he always matches my pace then goes ahead again. It really seems like I am setting the pace and he just runs what he has to to stay one step ahead. There is a breeze, but instead of drafting I want o get it to cool me down. Not terribly hot but the humidity is pegged.
We go through the start finish line at the 5 K to do another loop right about 22 minutes. Measures 5.08 on my watch. I need to back for a while, next 2 splits are 4:48 and 4:44, ouch not that much. If anything I am closer on his heels here, I'm hoping he is fading. Around 7.5 we start lapping the 5 K walkers, luckily the cyclist clears our track. I pick it up and he matches. Splits 8 and 9 are 4:27 and 4:25. I plan a big passing move but as we come around a corner, a huge puddle blocks the whole road except inside line, so I tuck back in. I ask the cyclist (Mark who was the RR guy at the Wolfe with Ryne) if there's anybody behind us, he says yes, a guy in a blue shirt. As we all pick it up around 9.5, I hear his footsteps coming up. I go and think I'm holding him off, still 3-5 M behind leader. Coming into the chutes, he blasts past me and they both find another gear. The leader holds him off by 1 second and me by 9, I get 45:04, to their 44:55/6. (chip time 45:03) Fun fun fun. If it could get any worse, the guy who passed me was my age!
For me that's a PB by about a minute. I'm not sure but I sometimes think I might have run faster without the distraction of battling for the lead. It was more than worth it though, how often does a guy my speed ever get to play at that?
Congrats Sheldon!
