Turkey Trot 2012

So, another Turkey Trot comes and goes.  Man, time really flies!  I only really started running regularly at the end of September/early October so I didn't really know how Turkey Trot would go this year.  Last year, we were well into marathon mileage so the result was more expected.  This year, I was just trying to string some decent weeks together, toss it against a wall and see what falls out.  That's how I felt going into it anyway.  Got healthy enough late October/early November to do a couple of tempo runs, problem is, the pace was way slower than 10K pace!  But, progress is progress so I felt positive about any pace action I could get.  Had been feeling about as healthy as possible coming off an achilles problem (since Feb) and a hamstring/adductor strain, so I would race the 10K as hard as possible, hoping these issues won't resurface.  Unfortunately, my training partner, the Dane, was down with an injury of his own so all my running miles were solo, sort of boring.  He had to miss Turkey Trot for the first time since I've known him, bummed for sure.  But, ever the positive influence, he poured his efforts and hopes into me, love that!  Anyone who has run with/against me knows, when I pin on a number, it's on.  This year was no different.  Went out harder than I should and felt it later for sure.  Got into a real battle with two 20-somethings well into the race and I went for it at mile 5 (into the shitty headwind).  I got a gap and tried to hold it, hiding behind any guys I could find at that point (the top 3 gals were long gone!).  I was really dying but trying to tough it out and hit the track unaware of the stalker behind me!  The gal that finished 3rd last year (and beat me by 20+ seconds) came around me in the last 50meters like Usain Bolt and I, obviously, couldn't answer.  Back in the day (read, when I was her age), I never lost in a sprint.  Well, today, in my mid-40's, is a new day.   I must be able to read the future because this was why I tried to break them at mile 5!  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but only one of these youngsters caught me!  And, I got a Hell of a workout!  More importantly, defended my Masters 10K title which, going in, wasn't a given considering the injury issues the past several months!
Next up, Holiday Halfathon (half marathon) 11/9.  We have never done this race even though it finishes in the park little more than half a mile from the house.  Point to point, fairly flat, familiar surroundings.  I'll go til I drop and see how it washes out.  Competition not terribly deep unless you are at the pointy end, ugh!  I sense another extremely painful adventure!  I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Cheers.