1:12:18

Previous PR 1:13:21, also went through 10 miles in 54:28 for a new "unofficial" 10 mile pr. I was very confident going into the race, weather conditions were almost perfect and having driven the course the day before I knew it was a fast one. One significant hill between mile 9 and 10 but other than that pancake flat and a net downhill. The only doubt in my mind, the last couple of days, a potential issue in my right foot has been developing. More of that later

At the start line there were 6 or 7 of us who were hoping to work together at about a 5:30 pace and Tim had even organized a couple of guys to step in at mile 3 and 6 to help us along. Tim and Fred headed out of sight as expected. Tim went on to run a personal PR of 1:09:53- nice job Tim!

I led the second group through the first three miles (5.30,5.32,5.16- downhill). Then one of the 'pacers' took over and he actually hammered it along a bit faster than I was feeling comfortable at so I backed off a bit and hung out at the back of the pack for a while. Next miles passed in 5.26,27,24,26,29,26. I was now in a group of three (one 'pacer' and another guy) as we approached the hill. I was feeling pretty strong still and was looking to break the other guy here. Sure enough coming off the top of the hill I had made a break so now it was three miles to go and no looking back! That mile was 5.32, mile 11 was 5.28 and now I was beginning to hurt! It was now also raining steadily so I was nicely soaked now and starting to fade! Mile 12 I managed in 5.35 then mile 13 in 5.41.

So fifth overall, first in age group and a big fat pr. Felt very good through mile 11 and it was only the last two miles I was feeling uncomfortable. The negative though is that my right foot is hurting. It's a pain at the base of my arch on the inside. Obvious reaction is that it's pf rearing its ugly head but it is in a completely different location to where I suffered last time and is more of an ache than an acute pain. I'm sure it's to do with the way I have been unconsciously compensating for previous injuries. Hopefully a couple of sessions with my chiropractor and concentrating on my 'proper' running form and I'll be okay. An easy week scheduled next week so we'll see....

I'm having a great time up here but will fill in with the other details of my trip when i get a bit more time!

Oh and I met 'Salty One' after the race today! Great to meet up with a 'fellow blogger' for the first time! Unfortunately the rain was really coming down at that point so it was a short and sweet introduction but congrats to your husband Laura, I saw in the results that he comfortably met his goal!