April 29th - UMKC Invite 1500 and 800

    These races were more for speed work than actually racing, although I tried to race them.  These will help get me used to a little faster leg turn over for my long runs and half marathons. 

    Weather was much nicer today than day before.  Still cloudy with a little sprinkle early on, but the wind was practically non-existent for my runs and the sun actually peeked out a few times which warmed things up.  The 1500 was scheduled at 12:20 for the women, then the men follow.  Jimmy and I were both in the 2nd of 3 heats (slow to fast).  Trying to go out around 66-67 and then push the 3rd lap.  Split 65, then 2:13 at the half, 3:24 at 1200 and then with 200 to go just ran out of gas.  I followed behind Jimmy for about 1000m then passed him on the homestretch yelling for him to go with me so we moved up, then he passed me up around the 1200 and just kept going, so I tried to hang with him for as long as I could before my legs gave out on me.  I wasn't last in my heat, so I was happy with that and I reached my goal of running under a 4:20 at least.

    The 800 was supposed to be run around 2:40 (women first then men) but the moved to a rolling schedule so it was MUCH sooner than that!  I was in the 1st of 3 heats and was hoping to at least run 2:13 again since that felt quick for me.  I went out and felt relaxed in a 62-63 and felt pretty good.  I began to make a move to get up in position along the next 100-150m in the 2nd lap, but at the 200 to go just didn't have it left in me and fell back some positions.  Finished at least faster than the 2:13 though! and I was not last either.  : )