Got there real early, talked to Larry Bradley for a while, last year I finish right behind him in 5th place. We talked about the field being pretty stacked this year and the footing this year maybe even worse then last year.
Went out and got ready for the race then went for a warm up, I decided to wear my XC spikes without the pins in them, since they are very light but even without the pins have a fairly aggressive tread. I took me about 3 steps before both of my feet were soaked, with the rain and slush. Warmed up about 2k then went back to my car to dry off and warm up. 15 min before start I headed to the start line and did about another 1k warm up then a few pick ups to get the legs turning. Even being sick I still feeling pretty good.
The race starts and I get stuck behind a few people already, I should have been on the front line, that is my fault. Anyway up to speed and the first 3k I'm feeling pretty comfortable, the plan is to take advantage of the long downhill but not to push, and save something for the hills.
Just before 3k I hear someone coming up running in a garbage bag, "what da!" ah it's Kyle Aitken, I tried to stick with him but that didn't last long. After that I just keep tying to keep up with Larry. I see Doonst's SO at the bottom of the hill and scamper up it, someone was getting close to me on the hill, might have been another Kyle. I try to recover as fast as possible at the top of it however that is just the steep part of the hill the hill continues for another km or so until you can really recover and get ready for the final fast 3k to the finish. I don't hear from that person again.
On the road again and I push it and get back to a more comfortable pace, and looking forward to get on Winston Churchill for a fast finish just to see it totally muddy now. From here I just push as hard as I can, once I get back on pavement again for the final 500m I start to kick for the finish and seem to do a fine job of it. I turn the corner and when I see the clock it is 42:xx, bah I thought I was faster then that today. Larry was 6th of course
Oh well, still a great race, 7th overall, 1st in 40-49 category, 1st Master
Head to my car to change and warm my frozen toes and fingers.
Awesome food afterward and visit with friends.
Splits
------
3:19
3:21
3:55
3:59
4:04 (18:37 through 5k)
4:47
4:25
4:09
3:55
3:49 (39:41 through 10k)
2:33 (3:23 pace) 42:13
