Larry Robinson 10 Miler - a nice race with a surprise at the halfway point (Read 588 times)

After the Manchester Marathon, I was very glad that I ran into Jessica from the Good Times Series in the Athletes Village. I got to thank her for her support during the last mile of the race. She had a friend in tow, but failed to introduce her in violation of all Good Times policies and procedures.* As I got ready to head home, I think it was Jessica that asked if I would be racing next weekend. Me: No. (I turned and started walking toward the Jeep) Jess' friend: Larry Robinson 10 Miler next Sunday in Andover! Me: NO! I'm burning my shoes tonight, I'm never running again! I think it was Tuesday that I picked up the book for my training plan, and found forty minute runs on Tuesday and Thursday and a ten miler on Sunday. Huh? Then a fifteen miler next Sunday, and a twenty miler on the following Sunday. (Those last two rate a double "huh?") As long as I was going to run ten miles anyway, might as well be sociable and support a good cause. It was pretty chilly as I left the house, so I stopped to pick up a $2 pair of gloves at Walgreens. That turned out to be a good move. I filled out an entry form and joined the healthy line for walkin registration. While waiting to register, I heard an "emergency" announcement. They were running out of safety pins and asking runners to take only one, and turn in extras if they had four. That was a new one on me. Shortly after, they announced that the number wasn't important, it's the timing chip that matters. I managed to scrounge up one safety pin from the floor of the Jeep, so I was able to hang the number on the front of my shirt. Technically it didn't matter, but it just wouldn't feel right without it. Getting my watch ready for the start, I somehow managed to clear the 6:00/1:00 run/walk intervals I have programmed. The watch isn't all that intuitive, and my efforts to reprogram it fell short before the gun. I just watched the running time and pulled over as scheduled. I spent a couple of walk breaks trying to get it reprogrammed before I gave up. I passed Jessica and her anonymous friend a couple of miles in, and they returned the favor during my next walk break. She made sure to give me a ration of crap (passing us once isn't enough?) when I re-passed them, and that was the last I saw of them. I came upon George the 71 year old marvel somewhere near the halfway point, and chatted briefly with him. Shortly after, I heard "are you on RunningAhead?" I turned and said yes, and introduced myself to SeeEricaRun with a slightly confused look on my face. Erica explained that my Loco shoes had given me away. Good thing I didn't burn 'em. We were running a pretty comparable pace, so we chatted away until my walk breaks. We just picked up chatting again when I caught up. It definitely helped the miles go quickly (at least for me anyway) and I even decided to scrap my walk breaks at about the eight mile mark (for the first time in years). Running is generally a very solitary exercise for me, and it was a really nice change of pace to have a running companion. As if the internet experience of RA wasn't enough, it can also lead to great real-life experiences as well. It was even better when Erica mentioned that she could probably walk the last mile and still earn a PR. I can't imagine a more pleasant ten mile recovery run, and look forward to my next real world RA meetup. * I forgot to give Jessica a ration of crap for this egregious slight, but I will be sure to do so the next time I see her

sounds like a good time

sounds like a really fun race...I'm glad you didn't burn your shoes. I'm starting to get jealous of all of these RA meet ups.

Awsome!!! Another meeting.... and a nice race to boot.

Ha! Somehow I missed this post - I meant to write one myself, but I'm terrible at getting around to these things. I was so happy you were there - after having them run out of small shirts (at least I can use the medium as a tent), accidentally overdressing (and overheating) because I didn't have time to get back to my car (too busy making a bathroom sprint and scrounging a safety pin from other runners), fun nausea around mile 3 and those ungodly uphills (must learn to run uphill...), I was feeling quite sorry for myself and having a pretty awful time until I ran into you (must learn to have better attitude...)! If I ever make it out to Good Times, I definitely owe you a drink for dragging my sorry, sulky butt through the second half of that race. What is it with Massachusetts races that they don't like to use starting mats? (Must learn to get to start on time...) I still can't figure out how you managed that race so gracefully a week after running a marathon.