From: Jeff Mann [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: Pilcher 3rd in 3000
It was Blake Wood in 2nd in 9:22; Picher was 9:24.9. They ran
consistent 37 second laps through 10 laps (mile in 4:52). There was a
string of 5 guys in a row with Pilch in 3-4 through 6-7 laps. Wood
moved to 2nd just before the mile and Pilch to 3rd; then just after the
mile the 2 each moved up one spot (Wood to 1st, Pich to 2nd) and the 2
were nose - tail.
After 10 laps, Wood started opening a gap slowly as Pilch started
running 38s and a 39 (maybe 2) and the gap was 5 seconds with 3 to go.
Pilch then got passed for 2nd on the back straight with 120 to go.
I finished 2nd by 2/100 of a second. At 2 laps, the top 3 were in a
tight line with me sitting in 3rd. The pace started slowing and I made
the quick decision to sit right there in third, even though I felt
really good. I had to keep forcing myself to hold back. The 3 of us
ran that way through 12 laps before 2nd and 3rd (me) each passed the
leader. Although I was feeling good overall, my back was starting to
get sore so I waited until the last lap to really kick. Unfortunately,
through the 2nd to last turn (150 to go) we came up on 2 lapped guys.
Just after the leader passed them, one of the guys moved to pass the
other just as I was about to pass both, forcing me to lane 3. I was
gapped immediately by 3-4 yards. I pushed hard down the back straight
and through the turn and closed th gap. The leader then forced me out
to lane 3 again on the home straight. I caught him right at the tape
but needed another yard or so to get the win. Time was slow (9:29) but
easy. My last lap was under 30 - maybe high 28.
McGill didn't show, which probably changed the tactics of the race.
This just in...Masters Nationals
3000m 50-54 (0930 Friday EST)
1. Craig Fram 9:16
2. ??? 9:20ish
3. Brian Pilcher 9:25
