Thanks hrm! sorry to hear about the kiddo.
I noticed during the kids 5k on Sat, both my hamstrings felt a little tight. I rolled them out afterward with some relief. But I just attributed it to the carb loading and some of the extra sodium I was taking. I felt very confident a sub 4 should be no problem, but we know how that shit goes. I was very mindful of my pace, focusing on getting to 10 comfortably. Then getting through the next 10, slowing a little if I felt like I needed to. Then seeing what happens the last 6. i told my self to chill on the inclines, I'll get it back on the down. From the very beginning my left hamstring just seemed tight, but not where I felt the need to slow down. All was pretty much to plan up to 20. After 19 i knew the slight wind would be in my face all the way to the finish, i was preparing mentally, or so i thought. Mile 20-22 was not as kind i was hoping, but wasn't horrendous. The short inclines through Colonial hills, around mile 22, just beat me up and my quads didn't appreciate the downward side either. At this point I wanted to get to 25 with some reserves, I did not want to limp in to the finish. Its all flat after 23, the last half mile to the finish is a small slight uphill battle. I was slower from 23 to 25 than I wanted but I was really feeling it, soreness, heat, breeze. At mile 25 I just told myself I gotta go. I believe I did the last mile in 8:37, to squeeze in for a 3:58.