Thursday's workout was designed specifically to determine whether or not I would run in the Arizona Road Racers Summer Series #4. I did the first race with James W. I might have done the entire series, but they have 2 of the 5 races on Sunday. I like to avoid running on Sundays. Bad things happen. Back to Thursday. Since I hadn't been training for speed lately due to the increasing temperatures, I wasn't sure how I would do. Thursday I ran a mile in 6:35. Before my last 5k I ran a 6:26. I knew I was a touch slower, but decided to run anyway.
I forgot my Garmin today so I'll just post a bunch of pictures instead of giving a mile by mile breakdown. Who doesn't love pictures?
Wait wasn't too bad. Immediately afterwards I took the high ground and did a 1.4 mile warm-up.
After my warm-up I stretched out. I had about 4 minutes before the start of the race. By this time the chute was full of runners. I started out in the back and it took me about 2 minutes before I crossed the starting line.
Because I started so far back, I was passing people the whole race. I got passed a couple of times. It wasn't long and I knew I wouldn't be PR-ing. Too hot.
Down the stretch I was able to pass a bunch of runners. Enjoy these action shots in Tempe's beautiful Kiwanis Park.
At one point in the race there was a gentlemen on a bicycle coming down the path. I was ready to clothesline him. "Can't you see there's a race going on old man??" It turns out he was the race official making sure people stayed to the right. The pack of lead runners was right behind him. Man, they were fast. (I look so dorky when I run.)
Staying wide to the right to avoid the puddle of water. My wife said she saw someone biff it.
Sweat levels 10 - Captain Insano. I could use the services of an experienced waterboy.
(Notice the can of soda I nicked in my pocket.) After the race I saw an old high school friend of mine. Even though we ran cross country together, I never expected to see him at a race. I wasn't sure it was him at first, so I yelled "Somar!" and looked away. He kind of paused. Then I said, "Mike Somar!" and did a 180. Now he stopped, and I turned around so he could see me. He was like, "I know you from somewhere. I recognize your eyes." He probably didn't know it was me because I was too cool to wear my glasses in high school. It was good to catch up with him, and we've already added each other as FaceBook friends. The End.
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