4th time running my favorite local hometown race. Unfortunately, the first time without a PR, unless you count running the exact same time as last year. Yup, to the second. Another overcast and wet but warm year in the mid 60s. Was well drenched after my 2 mile warmup, not because of rain but because I was sweating like I was in a sauna. As has been the norm the past week, felt like crap too, like I mistakenly left a rock in my stomach. Settled into 7th at the start, but hard to tell with the simultaneous 5K/8K start. At least the put the 5K walkers on a different course (and started them 5 minutes earlier) this year, so less bobbing and weaving in miles 3 and 4 ahead this year. One runner peeled off at the 5K split and I set my sights on the 5th place guy. Recognized him from other races and knew he was a fast starter that I *should* eventually catch, and finally did at about the 2 mile mark IIRC. He and another guy stayed on my heels for a couple of miles, so I had some fear in me about getting passed, which helped spur me on because my body wasn't helping much. Legs getting tired, breathing getting away from me, a side stitch developed, and that wonderful rock-in-stomach feeling....waaaaa. Pushed as much as I could on the gently downhill 4th mile, knowing that the last mile was narrow, chock full of twists and turns, and likely crowded with 5K runners, making keeping speed up difficult. As expected. Pushed the last quarter-mile and quite gladly finished. Placing was better this year but I'd chalk that up to reduced competition. Once again, came up empty in the raffle drawing. All in all, a bleah race, but they can't all be PRs, I suppose.
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