Highest mileage week in 33 wk. It sure helped stave off the
madness. This was truly a grinding two weeks for me. Yesterday at 1pm after a
long talk with my mentor we decided that it made more sense for me to wait
until the Feb 12th grant deadline instead of squeezing out an
inferior product for Oct 12th. So I slept much better last night. It
is amazing what stress can do and the release of it feels so nice. Not that the
next four months won’t be grilling making the next deadline but just like there
will always be another race, there will always be another grant…
Because this change was made so late in the week we were not
able to replan the camping trip we had canceled early that week, but it worked
out for the better. Last night was a great BBQ with two other couples from
church and then this morning we did the free AHA 5K at Sugar House Park
followed by the free Health Fair at The U.
On to running: I was still a little weary racing only having
a few weeks of “ok” running under my belt. So even though the offer was on the
table for one of the friends form church to watch the girls I opted to push
them in the race. It didn’t hurt in the decision-making department that Fiddy
and BJ were there as well as a number of other fast looking runners. So by pushing the girls at least I had one excuse if the race didn't go as planned :)... The
organizer stated about 500 total for the timed run. I started about 10 or so
rows back and then gradually made my way into place during the first ¼ mile. It
is hard maneuvering the double stroller. About a ½ mile in I noticed there was
another stroller runner a head, this one a single. I chose him as my target and
picked him off by the mile mark. I also saw Bill Cobler on the side cheering with his
team, a face I had not seen in a while.
After the first loop of the park I was feeling pretty good.
There were a few people I targeted, in particular was a guy without a shirt on.
I started gaining on him by West HS but then he pulled away on the uphill.
During the flat part parallel to 21st I started gaining on him and
near the main entrance I passed him and didn’t look back. Just kept all the way
through the people I was now lapping and along the pond to the finish. Since my
wife was also running I did not have a Garmin so I do not my time or splits.
The times should be posted on Monday. They did mention it but I wasn’t paying
attention. The amazing part is that I managed to finish 3rd. Now
keep in mind the names I mentioned up top I do not think all the faster guys
were registered because I am pretty sure there were additional people ahead of
me besides Fiddy and BJ. So though the official place was 3rd I
think I was more like 5 or 6, they did end up putting Fiddy on the Official list so my new "official" place is 4th. In any case I am very happy with the effort, how
the girls behaved during the race. (they really seem to enjoy the faster pace
compared to our normal runs), and how I feel now. | 