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Truffle Shuffle 4 Mile

February 7, 2010 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: high 40s, slight breeze

Comments:
TRUFFLE SHUFFLE 4-Mile

Felt TRASHY on the warm-up, but pretty good energy. Got there really early to help Jeff out at the EPT tent, but it was so damn cold/humid, I wound up hanging out in my car before hand. Did the West PRE for warm-up, and a few strides.

The course started in the Alton parking lot, went east along the road, with the 1-mile along the river. Once at the "big field", the course went clockwise, first along the paved path by the millrace, then looping back around on the rolling bike path on the river, then back on the road to Alton.

PERFECT COMP for this race: the guy who won a year ago (in like 19:50s) was out in front, and after the first mile I had a guy beside me, on and off, the whole time. Felt OK the first mile in about 5:11.

Worked on efficiency of form and breathing. Worked pretty well but, like my tempos, I got tired midway. SUCKED at the 2mile mark (2nd mile 5:18?), as we had to take three tight turns because of the construction. Then, the 3rd mile was on the rolling (side-side, up/down) path back towards the finish.

The lead guy never pulled away and it was back and forth with the guy beside me. Hit 3 miles around 16:00 and it was "all about form" from there, as the last mile went uphill to the finish. I tried super-hard to keep the stride "long" and "stay engaged".

With 8 to go the other guy pulled in front on the uphill, but I reeled him back in on the flat, and with 400 to go, made a bit of a push with a bonafide KICK into the finish with what felt like my best finishing form EVER.

Crossed the line at 21:12, 4sec behind the winner and 2 in front of my 3rd place COMP.

Chatted with the fellas at the finish for maybe a minute, then jogged back to Jeff at the tent. Since I was supposed to help out with "injury screening" post-race, I pounded some water, changed my shoes, and immediately went on the cooldown.

TRASHED. Wow. Went easy down the bike path to VRC, then across the bridge. Thought it would've been awesome to take a detour to the Ninkasi tasting room, but by the time I was 2.5 miles in, I felt like I was drunk, I was so tired. Very odd feeling. I made it back in one piece, thankfully.

Overall I'm pleased with the effort, especially the good finish. The time was NOT very impressive. However, I wonder how the construction affected (A) the course length, and (B) the overall "speed", as the winner was a minute slow this year. "MAYBE" it's a slow course. 5:18 miles x4 is not particularly impressive...but I'll take it for February.

Post-race: TONS of Ninkasi (including my last Spring Reign) and Oakshire while watching a great Super Bowl w/Matt and Gary. BED by 7:30!!!