The weather was far from spectacular with the temps hovering near the low 30's and a significant wind chill.
It was truly great to see everyone from Triple Cities, Binghamton, and Confluence Running at the race and it really gave a fun and relaxing atmosphere. This race was serving as a "rust buster" for myself as I have not really run many road races in a long while. I was hoping for a 51 minute time.
My plan all along for the race was to run smart and consistent. I think that I achieved that goal. With the game-plan of averaging 5:20-5:30 miles, I steadily began to prepare myself for the race. It was wonderful to have Ashlee with my to enjoy the event and she even got me a Twitter and Instagram which is awesome. I warmed up with the guys and got settled into the race plan. Hanging out in the Chenango Forks High School was great since it was pretty cold and windy out there. It reminded me of many races and training runs that I endured in Norman, Oklahoma. After the warm-up and some slight shedding of layers, it was time for the Big Show!
Here is a link to the race article: http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20140330/SPORTS/303300035/Cole-Crosby-Samantha-Snead-win-Forks-XV-road-race-titles
Race Time::::::
I jogged off to the start with the wind whipping around us. I had never run this race before and had been told about the course and its gentle rollers not to mention a tough hill by mile 8. As we started off, I had a great time hanging out and chatting with Dan Young and Steve Marcin. Steve took out the pace and I sat behind him for the first 1200 meters and then decided to pace with him. We crested the first little hill with a mile split around 5:18. I mentioned to him that was a great pace. We agreed to hang together until one of us could not hold the pace. I was excited to run such a smooth pace. We then headed out of the school and onto the main road. We continued to chat and to make the run fun. It was cold and a little windy so having fun with it could help us both pass the time before the later stages of the run. We hit another 5:20 mile at mile 2 and a 5k time that had about a 5:21 average mile. We were running great. Then at the first downhill that was significant, I made a slight move on the down which I love to do and created a short gap. The lead bike mentioned to me it was about 100 yards or so. I always thought Steve could merge back with me as I kept up the sub 5:20 pace. With the rolling hills, I bounded up them no problem. I had really no fatigue generated from the run so far which was amazing. I had spring in my step and I was running really strong. I have not felt this great in a long time. I continued to cruise still averaging 5:15-5:20 based on the terrain. I think I picked up the mile split from 5-6 and then hit a river road section which was a gradual uphill mile. Coming into mile 7, I was still feeling strong though I was not as springy as the first 5 miles or so but I really was not struggling. Sure, the wind was at this point really making pushing the pace a little hard, but I fought through it as best as I could.
Mile 8---The big hill!!!!! It was fun to have so many people cheering along the course and at the base of the hill, as well as the lead bike who mentioned to me that he was going to try and get ahead with the hill. I hit the first section of the hill, I ran relaxed up it and then hit the crest hard. Once I managed the top of the hill, there was another little section to go. I asked the lead bike if this was the last hill and he mentioned that it was. YES!!!! Almost there. Once I finished the last roller, it was a downhill finish. I then began to cruise in. I still had plenty of strength in the legs and powered home. Once I entered the loop around the parking lot of the school, I was counting down until I was done. I also looked at my watch at this point to see that I could finish under 50 minutes which was exciting. I began to ease-up a little coming into the finish then kicked it home.
I was able to run 49:49 which was an amazing performance. I was very pleased with how well I had run with no speed work, a few tempo efforts, but mostly running slow in all this snow and freezing cold. I averaged right around 5:21 a mile which meant that I kept my pace really consistent the whole way through. This is very exciting to know that I am somehow in much better fitness than anticipated this time of year. I look forward to getting back to training well and beginning to get myself race-ready for Cayuga Trails.
Thank you Mammut North America for all the support. Dion Snowshoes, Karhu/Craft, Fit socks for the blister free run socks, Acidotic Racing for being an awesome team, Team Confluence, Ashlee, and everyone else that shows me some love. Without you, I would not have the motivation to dream for more. Thank you!
Those elites running in Cayuga Trails this June, I am every excited to mix it up with you and I hope that I can get my name tossed into the list of top ultra runners in North America. Train well, rest well, and see everyone at Cayuga!
Taking the lead at mile four with the first downhill section
Powering up the big hill at mile 8.
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