No taper or real strategy for this one just using it as a long run. Early miles and climbs difficult as usual. Fell in behind some good guys for a few miles and kept a pretty good pace once on the fire road. After a quick stop, ran solo for the remainder of the race. Held a good steady climb up the green monster and Grove Creek section. Didn't feel particulary fast, just held a nice fast hiking pace.
Really started raining at Indian Springs and through the meadow section. Soaking wet from moisture on plants down low. Once on the downhill heading into Battle Creek, passed a few runners and started to hit my stride. Pretty muddy going into the Curly Springs area--nothing like previous years but slick nonetheless.
Hammered it hard coming down in to Dry Canyon and then from the rock pile to the finish, dropping into the 6's and 7's and passing a few more guys as well as a lot of the half marathoners. On a couple of occasions I heard "oh, not YOU again." It seems I'm getting a reputation for passing runners late in a race, particularly on the downhill sections.
Huge PR for me on this one by 25 minutes. Happy with the result although I really didn't feel much faster in any given section over the previous 3x I've done this one.
Great day with a lot of friends and trail folk.
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