Monson Memorial Classic half -- Sun. Nov. 14

Another beautiful day. After a rather boozy Sat. evening (guests over, with wine and then Galliano's), a feast of Indian-style marinated lamb, and a short night, I was maybe not in the best shape. But, what can you do? So, to Ken's by 10:30 and when Bill joined us we headed out. Arrived and picked up our registrations packs (nice shirts: black, technical), then with Ken to DnD so he can get a sandwich. Then we all headed out for a short warmup (just over a mile), then stretch some. Meet up with tons of people, including Landry, Dawn F, Mike L, Rich C, Billy R and others. Amble to the start and plan to go with Bill and Mike -- both of whom are first-timers on this course -- at 7:00s or so.

GO: take it steady, and all goes more or less according to plan for a while. The hills are just as tough as I remember them, but I'm able to keep close to Bill mostly, Mike too. *No* inclination to bust out and go faster: it's just too hard later in the race, that much I know. I have gatorade for energy, but I can still tank if I go too fast.

As we cross the main road, I catch up with Bill and advise him about the midpoint hill (Landry had pointed out the same). Joe F and a female runner in yellow also in the cluster at this point. More uphills, and we finally hit that left turn onto what used to be the unmetalled road -- sucking wind a bit there, and then my left shoelace comes undone. Stop quickly, and Mike, Joe and the woman runner all pass by. Ouf. Chase and slowly work back up to pass Joe, the female runner, and start to close on Mike. Before we complete the loop section pass Mike and aim for Bill. Feeling okay, and keen on moving up pace from the 6:57s we'd been doing up as far as 8 miles, aiming now for 6:40s or better. Is that a blister starting? But don't slow down...

On the steep downhill before we head back towards the main road, pass Bill who's in trouble with a sore back. Decide this is go time, and aim to keep the 6:30ish pace -- four more miles? Maybe...

But maybe not. As we start down the main road, mile 10 goes by and I start to feel hints of numbleg. Just hints, but I decide to let off a bit, and not challenge when just after mile 11 first one runner passed (thought it was Bill, and greeted him, but it turned out to be the woman) and then near mile 12 Mike did the same. Blister getting pretty sore, and I'm tired at this point, though rhythm is good and I think it was as much that they increased pace as my fading.

End up crossing the line pushing to keep time under 1:30, which was my overall goal; come in 23rd, pretty satisfying, a good bit ahead of chasers and faster than I've done this course before. Then headed out for a barefoot jog until Ken came in. Ended up with a total of about 15 miles, but here's the official data for the run:

Time: 1:29:35
Distance: 13.1 miles
Pace: 6:51s

Comment: most happy with the consistency and according-to-plan-ness of my splits. Here they are:

1~8 = 6:56, 6:57, 6:42, 6:57, 6:57, 6:56, 7:13 (mile 7, shoelace etc.), 6:42 (catching up, transition)
9~13 = 6:31, 6:33, 6:32; 6:48, 6:38

Funny thing is, I got a blister in the same spot last year. Hmm. Forgot everything at the post race (Bill recovered after a massage, fortunately) and enjoyed a big eat, followed by a long nap on getting home. Mission accomplished.