Got down to the race a bit early, as it was a late start (5 pm), and I got fed up waiting for race time. I'll be honest...I picked this race because historically, there have been some slower win times. Ummm..yeah, not this year. Before the race started, I spotted 4 known sub 35 min 10 km guys. Oh well.
The race itself....they changed the route dramatically 30 mins before the race due to construction, so instead of a double loop on a favorable course, it turned into an out and back with some nasty hills in the middle.
Off we go, and I'm hoping for a 45 min finish. Started at that perceived pace, but I was actually going too fast (what a surprise). Then the feast began. I can honestly say I probably ate over 50 bugs, inhaled nearly as much, and was coated from head to toe with the nasty little things. It was not fun.
As I arrived at the turn after hell 'o' hills, I looked down at the GPS to check my 5 km time, and low and behold, we're on pace for another short course, my second in a row.
Head back towards the start/finish, through the hills again (with much less vigor this time), to the finish. 8.962 kms in 38:48, which translates to 43:17 for 10 km. Given the conditions, the hills, and my recent return to training, I'll take that with a smile.
And to Jo-Jo...as always, it was wonderful to have you out there cheering me on. The jealousy in Al's voice was priceless.
Splits
1 km-4:02
2 km-4:17
3 km-4:19
4 km-4:51 (uphill)
5 km-3:44 (downhill)
6 km-4:36
7 km-4:33
8 km-4:24
9 km-4:02
