Final Snowstorm (10K) -- Sat. February 28

Late decision to do this one, having not run all week since the Sunday race -- but decide and head out, a bit late: arrive at 9:40, but manage to get in just over a mile before the start. Ivan also there for his first run in ages and his first race in a new age group ; - ), and a good turnout: 100+. Decide to set up behind Mike L, and take it steady, but as I spot him going up the hill it seems he's making a fast pace. Still, not uncomfortable, so stick with him, and the first mile is under 6:15, but then we ease back to 6:20s ~ 6:40s. Entering mile 3, I feel he's slowing down to follow runners ahead, so I go out past and lead off. He follows, so I'm pacing off him still, but with him pushing. Stick with this pattern, and then focus on not going fast enough to trigger numb-leg. Tricky to juggle that with keeping place, but more or less manage it: from mile 4 focus on trying to catch the guy ahead, Scott R. He's about 20 seconds ahead, and I whittle that down to 17 as we reach the downhill back into the park: numbness appeared slightly, and I jumped about a bit (hopping up and down the kerb as I ran), and slowed down a bit. Then down the hill I felt precarious but it stayed moderate, and I was pushing out on the last straight figuring if it got worse I was close enough. The effort did kill my sprint, and as we hit the last bit of sidewalk to the finish tall Norm F galloped by Mike L, me and Scott R, and I pushed to chase him. Closed on Scott (got it down to 3 seconds!); Mike L was only 5 behind me. Finished 9th, pretty satisfying:

Time: 41:38 (Digivice = 41:38)
Distance: 6.2 miles (Digivice = 6.54 miles)
Pace/Speed: 6:43/8.94 mph (Digivice = 6:22s/9.43 mph

Comments: Not a PB, but better than a couple of weeks ago, and a satisfying finish to the winter season. It was a *perfect* day for running, given that it's still February. Ivan and I went for another 2.5 miles after (slowly) to get into double digits for the day. Good stuff.