I was actually pretty nervous for this one. I realized I hadn't really raced a mile in about 4 years, and I hadn't done a second of speed training. But greed and convenience got the best of me (I live a mile away from the start, and the prize money was good for a small race) and I toed the line. There was a pretty big elite field, so I wasn't sure what was going to happen. At the gun, we went out really slow, and I was confused. I didn't push it though, because I knew I stood the best chance off of a really slow pace. We hit the 400 in 70 seconds, really slow. Then a few legit contenders moved up to the front and I snuck up with them. We came through 800 in 2:13, back to a 63. Then, for some reason, we slowed back down again and hit the 1200 in 3:21, dropping a 68. By now it was down to me and Devin Swann for the win. I knew we have both been training for longer races, but I wasn't sure who would have the best finish. I started to move hard right at the 1200 mark, but then I realized I didn't have that long of a surge in my legs. I backed back down until about 100-150 from the line and threw in what I had left. Luckily it was enough and I won the thing in somewhere around 4:20 (this chip timing system is notorious for adding seconds) So I at least closed in under 60. the course had 6 90 degree turns, so I'll take the time and not complain too much.
Now I'm about two weeks out from the marathon and feeling good about my chances. I've toyed with a lot of race plans, but I'm not much of a risk-taker, and I really don't want to risk much in a marathon. So my race plan is to run a 5:18 mile 26.2 times. I'd thought about going out slow and hammering the last half, but I just don't trust my body to handle that. Hopefully I can cruise through 23 or so miles at pace and then step it down the last few, or at least grind it out and stay on pace for at least 2:18:59.
