Snowstorm 10K (new PB) - Sat. Dec. 30

Off for the last Snowstorm of the year, hoping maybe to see Mark there (nope), and planning to have a crack at 40:00. Well, so I thought; in retrospect I was being unrealistic, as I misremembered my best time. But anyhoo. It was a pleasant if chilly morning, dry on the ground while threatening snow. Arrived in time to do a few circuits of the pond as warm up, then back to the boat skate house to find still a ton of people lining up to sign in. Turned out there were 108 people running! Amazing, and perhaps the good weather had something to do with it. Took off at a steady pace, trying not to hurry the uphill, and then followed the lead string (though Carlos was already out of sight, doing a real solo push, perhaps challenged by the guest runner who came in at #2). I figured there were about 10 all told, with no one behind me very close. After a couple of miles Joe, who'd been sort of shepherding a string of 4-5 runners, dropped back to look for more worthy causes or something -- said hi in passing. I was on time for a while, but miles 3-4 seemed very rough, and indeed I'd slowed down. Just no enough strength at that point to keep the average up. Still, it was going okay, and I kept trying to catch the two or three ahead. Then as we looped round for the last 2 miles I felt my right shoelace loosen and then come undone. Urg. Couldn't really try running like that, so I stopped (cursing, alas) and did it up. Meanwhile the runner behind me approached and passed. Got about a hundred yards ahead before I was charging off again. But I think she was getting into her stride. I made up some ground, but then she held off and I just couldn't close any more, except for the very last few hundred yards. Joe had yelled out not to slow down as we turned round the pond for the last straight, and I managed to push a bit, but I had no sprint. Here's what their clock said:

Time: 40:37
Speed: 9.15 mph
Distance: 6.2 miles*

Comments: *Joe says the circuit is actually a bit long, maybe closer to 6.3. Could be so. Still, a good run to close the competitive year out with -- I'm happy and I still see windows of opportunity to get stronger. Next year.