In the AM, I ran the final Baltimore Road Runners Club GPS race of the year. Though I already locked up my age group a while ago, I ran this race just to get in at least one cross country event. It took place at Towson High School and was a 3 loop course around the perimeter of the school.
It was certainly cross country; lots of sharp turns, extremely varied terrain, and some good hills. We ran on grass, trail, the track, a wooden bridge (with a hole in it), and pavement. The course was advertised as 5 miles, but it was probably closer to 4.5.
I went out somewhat conservative early, though conservative had me in 4th. Two of the runners dropped off the pace, leaving me, and the leader, many strides ahead of me. I ended up 2nd, and probably slowed down a bit by the last lap. Being a self proclaimed road runner, I wasn't exactly in my comfort zone. Of course, the winner is a road runner as well, so I guess I beat all the cross country runners.
I ran a 26:20 (no splits, no mile markers). Assuming 4.5 miles, that comes out to 5:51/mile pace. Not bad for my one and only cross country race of the year. By comparison, the Rockville 10K I ran last week was at 5:37 pace, so clearly, I am designed to be a road runner.
Most shockingly was how quickly I recovered. Since I could never really get into a groove, I couldn't really expend all my energy, I was just fighting terrain, turns, and hills the whole time. Within about 5 minutes of stopping, I felt fine again.
PM: Going for a 7 mile run as soon as I post this. This run replaces the 4Xmile that I did not do on Friday afternoon. I'll have to check to see if I can get to the Dundalk HS track next week to get the run in.
Mileage for the week: 70. The taper goes into full swing next week, 60 followed by 55, my two lowest weekly miles in over a month.
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