MBPA 5K

Saturday 9/7 was the MBPA 5k in Malta NY. The head sponsor is global foundries and there is a inside bonus for ring the first global employee. After last weeks alumni race I thought realistically I could run 16:50-17:00. I the plan was to run relaxed and go out smart 525-530, once I arrived I saw someone who looked fast warming up (shamus nally) so my thought was right he is fast. I knew Eamon was going to be there and also ran into Aaron. Right before the start Eamon an myself jokes about not being out under 520. That went out the window really quickly, at 400 I was sitting in 7th with 2 global ppl near me. I pushed up towards the leaders but never fully came in contact with them, I saw them going thru the mile at 455-457 and came thru in 5:07 I immediately thought I was in trouble with the early pace. I made the effort to try and close the gap, as the course went onto the global site I got a boost from my co-workers cheering, I came thru 2m in 10:34 and was able to see the pack behind me was a ways back. Over the last mile I tried to use the down hill coming off the site to gain some ground. I was unable to close the gap on the leaders but was very surprised to see the clock coming into the home stretch. I was able to grab 4th place (1st global) in 16:38 which was very surprising. I asked the immediate question about the length and was assured by several ppl that it is certified and correct. This was a huge boost in confidence and the first sign that my training and racing are coming around.