Well this was my first attempt at going sub 17 and going into this race I had vowed I would either break that barrier or blow it up, I wasn't settling for anything else. Workouts coming into the race showed me that I'd probably be right on the edge of making it depending on how I executed, my recovery from training, etc. They also showed me that I was certainly in 17 low shape and for half a second I considered maybe re-adjusting. Sometimes you have to shoot for the stars though so I stuck with the original goal.

Lined up on the front line and at the gun rolled into it with the lead pack. Next thing I know I'm running 5:10s and we're a bit far down the road already- crap! Legs were still bricks but we're still going to see what happens. Started dialing it back and led the lead group begin to pull away and finally was settled around 5:30 flat. This didn't feel too bad but nearing the two mile mark it started to hurt- shortly after 2 miles the wheels fell off completely. I just felt...flat.

By mile 3 the wheels were completely gone in a major way and I jogged it across for a blown out 18:03 and my first race ever without a PR. I knew that was a possibility coming in and am still glad I didn't try to play it safe today.

Honestly, I think my failure was more a byproduct of fatigue than fitness. Writing this two weeks later and knowing how the rest of the following week played out I can certainly say the fitness is there. Needed a longer taper after such big volume.