I had several key objectives that I wanted to accomplish today: 1. Run sub 6:00, 2. 58 minute 10 miler. 3. Stay positive and focused. I warmed up for just a little over 2 miles and felt reasonably good. At race start a large pack formed at the front , I knew their pacing would be a bit too aggressive for me, and I did not want to die by mile 3, so we formed a second pack. My garmin beeped at the first mile, but the mile marker was quite aways down the road, about .1 miles. My garmin always beeped at the same place before each mile marker so I figured the first marker was misplaced. I was very comfortable in the first mile and was hoping it would stay that way. We picked up the pace through 2, and Taha threw a good surge and opened a gap going into mile 3. I wanted to stay consistent and hoped I could bring him back at some point. Ted was running along side at this time which helped to keep a steady rhythm. I decided I wanted to force a the pace a little and bring Taha back in and moved to get him, I caught him around mile 5 along with Tracy. Tracy and I ran together through 6 and then I found myself alone. Albert was a little bit in front and I thought if I can just maintain pace I would gradually catch him. I closed the gap for the next several miles, but I started to falter a bit around mile 8. I kept the distance from Albert with hopes of catching him by mile 10, but I was dying. My best hope for the last 5k was damage control. I finally looked back at about mile 11 and could see Nathan closing on me, I just hoped I could hang on. I looked back again at the turn before 13 and Nathan was very close, I through one last hard effort to hold him off, it was successful. Had the race been another 100 meters, he likely would have caught me, I was done. I did accomplish my objectives today. I was at 58 minutes for 10, sub 6, and I never quit out there. I feel very positive about today, and am pleased with the time. I had hopes of running 1:16 today, but I will take my 1:18 and live to race another day. I would like to thank Sasha's wife and children for singing BINGO to me on the course, it was fun and believe it or not, I did relax when I heard it. I looked forward to the van passing and another chorus of BINGO, thanks again!!! Congrats to all the bloggers who competed today, it looks like many had very successful days!!! Mile 1
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| 5:44
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| 5:44
| Mile 2
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| 5:40 |
| 11:25
| Mile 3
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| 5:34 |
| 16:59
| Mile 4
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| 5:39 |
| 22:39
| Mile 5
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| 5:41 |
| 28:20
| Mile 6
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| 5:46 |
| 34:05
| Mile 7
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| 5:51 |
| 39:56
| Mile 8
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| 6:00 |
| 45:57
| Mile 9
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| 6:11 |
| 52:09
| Mile 10
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| 6:12 |
| 58:21
| Mile 11
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| 6:21 |
| 1:04:42
| Mile 12
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| 6:21 |
| 1:11:03
| Mile 13
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| 6:13 |
| 1:17:17
| .1
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| 5:46
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| 1:18:19
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