I did my usual and lined up about 3 people back from the line. They run the full and half together so the only way to tell the difference is by the bib number color. Red for 1/2, green for full. It was noisy and the announcing system was not that strong, so it was hard to hear the start instructions. But since I was near the front and know the course well, it was not a big deal. Horn goes and we're off!

I settle right in and was amazed to watch 2 guys just disappearing off the front immediately. I was in a batch of guys from the Academy and probably about 10th or so. I knew the pace was a little fast for where I wanted to be, but in the first mile that is alright. Hit marker 1 at 6:05. Yeah, a little fast for a 1:30-ish pace! So I backed it off a little. Things were settling in and the groups were getting made. Ended up with two Academy guys who were aiming for the same sort of time. Mile 2 was a 6:25, more in line with where I should be, but a little fast. We all backed it off a bit for 3 and that came in 6:46. Oops, going the wrong direction for pace!

Things were pretty calm from there until the hill at 6. I took an ROctane at mile 5 and washed it down with some Gatorade. Two guys had caught and moved slightly ahead of our little group, a younger guy and an older one from the Mid Maryland Tri Club. We all sort of ran together splitting at about 6:35 +/- a few seconds. I saw Bobby Lamonte, a BTer who was volunteering at the race as he is slightly injured and didn't race. Said "Hi" as we started down the hill. Kept it smooth and relaxed on the downhill and counted places. The first place dude was absolutely FLYING and was already like a minute + up on the field!! At the trun to go back up the hill I was sitting in about 27th overall but not sure how many of those were full runners. I was guessing one or two based on previous years.

Going back up the hill I kept the pace even and was surprised by others falling off. Caught and went ahead of the little group I was with. It was the last I would see of the two Academy guys, but got passed by two others later. The Mid Maryland Tri guy stayed with me as we crested the hill and got back onto the trail. From there we cruised and I stayed right on him in his draft. There was a headwind coming back. The younger guy we had in the group passed up around 8-ish and we settled in behind him. It was great to run as a group as we were tight and pacing well. Splits were dropping just a hair.

At around 10 I had moved behind the younger guy and he was picking it up a little. I stayed with him but we dropped the Mid Maryland guy. The next mile was a 6:25-ish, then mile 12 came right around that as well. We were both working hard and it felt awesome to have something in the tank to push the last 5k. About halfway through 12 I told the guy "Don't worry, I'm not going to snake you at the line. You pulled me through the last miles!" He said, "Thanks, but you pulled me to." I'm like, "No, I pushed you!"

Made the turn back onto Robinson Rd. and the last 1/3rd of a mile back to the school. At around 13 he picked up a little and I let him go. He crossed and then I did a few seconds behind him. Clock time was 1:25:26 or so. Great run!!

Maybe push a little more from the turn? Felt good and the last few miles working with the younger guy were strong. Meant I still had a little something in the tank that I could have used earlier.

Turned in my chip, then went to watch the triathlete I know from the pool swimming early. She kicked butt and got 2nd in W40-44 and I picked up her plaque for her to drop off at the pool since she couldn't stick around for the awards. Then watched and saw Traci come in with a huge PR!! Then went inside and got warm .... it was chilling the bones to stand out in the cold and wind with shorts and wet clothes.


Not much, this was almost the best that I would have expected. I was shooting for a sub-1:30 no matter what with hopes of sub-1:27. Did both of those! ;)


Glad they had more water stops this year. And post race grub was as good as always. Great race, well run, fast course. Only downside is the time of year it is run, but it still brings out a really strong and fast field. The goofy "Garminites" were all saying the course was 13.2X or so. Big deal. ;-P