Rainy race day. We met at the Madison County hospital...a fair number of us. The timing of the event probably couldn't have been better. It was cool and in between showers. I picked up my race packet about a half hour before race time and immediately went for the shirt. The hospital was giving nice moisture wicking shirts with entry. I hadn't ran in one before and was eager to try one.
We started on 4th avenue headed north. I got out front and just seemed to stay there. I settled in behind some of the faster runners (even a couple kids). At the mile mark, I glanced at my watch and was surprisingly running a sub 7 pace. It didn't feel bad, so I just kind of kept it there. I noticed a familiar face (well the back of this runner's head, running mannerisms, and his hat). We both passed a few other runners and then took turns at the number 3 spot. I wasn't sure of his age, but he HAD to be close to me I thought. I knew CJ Michaels was out in front (no catching him....yet). We were in and out of a light rain for most of the race. My moisture wicking shirt was hard at work as was my MP3 player. Somewhere behind me, was my Dad . Yes, my Dad. I had somehow managed to get ahead of him :). Deep inside there was a small victory here. So I kept running.
The course was pretty much a downhill run with the exception of the finish back toward the hospital and a short run up 4th avenue near the elementary. The unknown, but familiar guy kept trading places. It was nice to have this little competition during the race. He managed, at the end, to pull slightly ahead and finished just a few seconds ahead of me. I was OK with that. As I found out later, he was not in my age group! I finished 4th overall and 2nd in the men's 40-49 group with a 7:11 pace! Not too shabby. I'll take it...happily.
myk
No comments:
Post a Comment