Running to an age graded 90% or better has been my goal for the past 10 or 12 years. Been consistently in the 85-89% in that time, and "PRd" with a 89.9% in a 10K early this spring (time wise about 3 seconds short of the mark). So I knew I had it in me, but had to be at the right course with good conditions and at peak form. It all came together this weekend at one of my favorite races, the Midnight Sun Run in Alaska. We traveled up to visit our younger son after the older one had graduated the week before, in Washington state.
It had been six weeks since running a marathon, but had good training in the three leading up to the race had gone well and I'd gotten in some good sharpening workouts.
Race night was perfect, with the startline temperature at 60F, with a slight breeze out of the southwest. It's the biggest race in Alaska, with about 3000-4000 participants every year. First two miles were in control at 5:52 and 5:47, and I felt pretty good (running at sea level after being at altitude feels amazing) so I edged up the pace and started picking off a few of the fast starters. Ran 5:40-5:45 pace for the remainder of the race to finish in 35:43 (14th overall, 1st masters, and age grade 90.1%). My sons also ran, and both set PRs. Enjoyed a beer with my older son at the beer tent. It was a good prelude to fathers day.
