In the passed 2 years, my time for this race was around 1:34:00. My 5K run splits were around 19min. with the 2nd run always much slower. In 5K running races I'd never broke 18min. My goal this year was to get around 18:30 for both 5K splits and break 1:30:00 overall.
I saw a guy who looked good. He recognized me. We run track together on Tues. mornings. I think I'm faster than him (Scott) at the track, I should beat him. (however, his best event is swimming so a Triathlon will be the best match up) Another guy, Jan (pronounced yawn), is there & he's top ranked but just turned 30 so wasn’t a threat(cool!) I get in the 2nd row, GO!, everyone goes out so fast, Scott's 6 seconds ahead, I planned for 5:50 or 6:00 minute miles, my first mi. was 5:25! I'm worried but can't let him get out of sight. I'm hoping I can recover some on the bike because I'm burning up my legs on this 5K. I know I beat 18min! Quick trans., on the bike, Tri Fed official (a friend of mine) yells "you're with the top 10" I managed to get ahead of Scott somehow, now I'm hoping to recover on the bike but then he shoots by! Oh, no, gotta hammer, gotta keep him in sight! Averaging 24mph, med. strong winds, aero position the whole way, 16mi I start gaining on him (12 seconds down to 8seconds) I should slow down to prepare for next 5K but I got to pass him to make him hurt, into the trans we're side by side with another guy (Sean) up with us. Quick change, side by side we're running out. I pat him on the back in front of the announcer (a little sportsmanship always looks good) I'm totally surprised that my legs actually feel better, easier turn-over! Slight headwind, Scott's at my heels using my draft, a guy runs by (Sean) "let's work together" and makes a draft for me so I can pick it up, Scott falls off the back, (later I find out it's Sean, a triathlete friend from many races), Sean pulls ahead (he's in 24yr old div.) but the wind's now gone so I let him go. My watch got screwed up, so I don't know my splits, so I start over at mile one. I'm starting to hurt, slight side ache. I tell myself if this mile is 6min or under then cool!, I'll keep hammering, otherwise, I'm slowing down. 5:47!! That fuels me on. Under 18min again!!! I can't believe it. Great race! Don't even know my time. Wasn't even paying attention to announcer because the best I've ever done is 7th place and they only give to 3rd. "3rd place, Troy Soares!" WOW! Sean got 3rd place for his division.