This was a gun start and it took quite a while to get through the start banner then still was a slow go to get around the people who maybe should have been further back, or I suppose maybe we could have been further up. The course was nice. We had a whole lane blocked off on the major streets but were more limited on streets with only one lane each way. This posed a problem in getting around groups who decided to run 2 or 3 people wide. Not a complaint against the course set up, but more against inconsiderate people.

Michi took off like the speed racer she is and Ryan dropped back quickly, but Val and I started out about the same pace. Eventually she pulled ahead but I kept her in sight for quite a while. She was my tether and I chose some carrots along the way. One in particular stands out. There was a couple and the female was wearing a lime green Tutu. As I got closer I could see that the front of the tutu was coming back between her legs and made for a very interesting look. Sort of a lime green pubic thing. Weird. So I passed them and picked my next carrot.

I was drinking water at the aid stations and took Gatorade at a couple of them. I took gels when I saw the aid stations at about 3, 6 and 9 for practice/testing. At about the 7 mile mark there was a young boy holding a "touch here for power" sign. I told him I was hoping he'd be there with a recharge and touched his sign. That little boy lit up with a smile. So cute.

Somewhere along the way I'd lost Val. I think because I was slowing to drink water from cups and she wasn't. At about 10.5 I spotted her again. I passed her at about 11 and told her to finish strong. I knew she was slowing because my pace was pretty consistent.

Toward the end the sun broke out a few times and made me realize that even if the morning is cool I will probably still want my singlet for Colorado, barring really bad weather.

I rounded the finish and saw the time on the clock. I knew it was close to a PR. Turns out that by the official time it was an 11 second PR. By my watch, which I started when I went under the start banner, it was over a minute pr!

This was a supported training run so I'm pretty happy with it. Just keep running...

Got my bag and walked around a bit trying to stay warm and waiting for Ryan. Hung out with Deb, who had done the 5k so she wasn't at our start, Val and Michi for a bit. Got a banana but the choc milk was all gone, taken by the 5k 10k and speedy HMers.

Eventually I walked the mile to get to the shuttle bus which took us back to the start. On the bus I sat with a man who'd won his AG. Way cool.


training, not racing


Run Fit is a great organization. I've done many of their races, including the 5k series I did with DS1 last year. They put on a great race and had the streets blocked where it was needed. There was a great law enforcement presence and I thanked them and the volunteers as much as I could.