Easy mile jog just to loosen up. Now off to the SLTC Winter 10k. Now for the race report... Arrived at Saltair a little late and so I had to rush around a bit at the start. Did a two mile warm-up jog along the course. There were fewer top guys this week than at the 5k two weeks ago and I thought Fritz was the only guy who would definitely beat me. Neal Gassman was running and that put a little pressure on me because I don't beat Neal in 5ks or 10ks when he's fit. The gun went off and Fritz quickly opened up a big lead on his way to running around a 32 flat. I found myself in the strange situation of running with five or six guys. Usually I'm all alone in these races and it's like running a solo time trial. But I was really enjoying having the company. It was a little windy and there were several guys to tuck in behind. I could tell by the labored breathing of a couple of them that they wouldn't be around at the end. The problem was the pack was running a few seconds per mile slower than I wanted to be running. But I didn't feel like running by myself in no-man's land between Fritz and the pack having several guys fifteen or twenty yards behind. I knew that every mile I stayed with this group made it less likely that I would break 35, but I just couldn't make myself care that much. Too much pressure for wimpy me. So I just stayed with the pack. By about 3.5 miles everyone had fallen back except me and one other guy who I stuck behind. We were running really consistent miles. Every mile I ran the whole race was between 5:43 and 5:46 for a 5:44 average. I ended up third overall which is my highest finish ever in this series and won the masters which makes me the RRCA Utah 10k State Masters Champion. Won a $50 gift card and a coaster. I would have liked to have run 30 seconds faster, but the race just didn't shape up that way. I'm pleased with how the pace felt though and am optimistic that at Boston I'll be able to maintain six minute pace on the downhill, sea level course. The 15k in a couple weeks will be a better indicator. I'll get about 75 miles for the week. Makes nine out of the last ten weeks I've been over 70. Way more consistent mileage than ever before. PM: Three easy miles on the treadmill plus weights/strength training. First time I've lifted in 3 or 4 weeks so I only did about 50% of the normal volume. I've got to remember... 1. Strength training good for old guys. 2. Strength training = Few injuries, less aches and pains. For me anyway.
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