3M Downhill to Downtown; Austin

2023 result: 244w avg, 6:52/Mi, 1:30:29. 2024 result: 255w avg, 6:58/Mi, 1:31:22. upgraded Stryd foot pod with metal clip 2024 pacing strategy was based on Stryd wattage and perceived discomfort—as opposed to mile split. I chatted with the 90-minute pacers who admitted going too fast during first 9 miles in 2023. Plan: 250~255w first 10k. Expect pace = high 6’s. Adjust wattage as necessary. Ignore GPS pace. Things felt good ‘til 10k. Glutes experienced sharp pain—low enough intensity to ignore. left hamstring felt stiff. Took more effort to hold 250w. My pace dropped, I hanged on to 250w, believing I was on track for sub 90-min. I felt I executed the race well until I saw the result--aimed to improve on last year's result by 30s but ended up 53s slower. condition was good but slower than 2023 tailwind. Total Pace 6:58/M 5k Rank 247 21:03 6:46/M 10k Rank 263 42:28 6:50/M 15k Rank 277 1:04:32 6:55/M Finish Rank 290 1:31:21 6:58/M disappointed but feel blessed about sub-7-min-mile. Maybe look for an even faster course like Mount Charleston.