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13th annual GDS Alumni Challenge 2 mile Race

August 22, 2015 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: low 70s and sunny with low humidity -Awesome

Comments:
A good turnout of current team but not very many alumni. I didn't feel as rushed getting ready as most years, but still didn't manage more than a few 20 second jogs as I put up signs. Didn't even do a strider or drill or leg swing. I did put on yellow road racing flats. Went out as if I wasn't properly warmed up... because I wasn't. The field went out way too fast pulled by the Colaizzi brothers who were intent on cheerfully attacking one another.

Over the first .75 miles, I worked up alongside Billy Cox and passed about 10 runners. I felt fine and was definitely aware of loosening up as we cruised and chatted down the Crescent Trail. He bounded up the stairs and I encouraged him to take off which he did. My mile split at the top of the stairs was 5:48. I was alone and trailing behind a strung out series of alumni and team members. Never caught anyone else after the mile, but I felt surprisingly fresh and kept consciously trying to accelerate throughout the final mile. Mostly I wished for someone closer to me off of whom I could motivate. Ultimately, I was happy to stay mostly within myself and I must have pushed hard enough to stay even. In fact, I hit a negative split (5:41) with a final time of 11:29 (Seven seconds slower than the 11:22 I had run for the past two years.) The negative split likely just came off of the final kick which was decent despite not having anyone there with me. Took absolutely no cooldown, as usual, and even 8 hours later I'm still feeling a little shaky and unsettled inside as always happens when the cool down is skipped.

All in all, I was reassured to be so close to last year's time. After all, I was able to run a 17:36 in NC at Thanksgiving last year, and this would indicate I'm potentially on the same path to that sort of a time again this year. It would be nice to stay focused this fall and to get in some quality training in the coming months.