(Pretty much a verbatim cross post from KR...) This is the second race in our local race series. Flint Hills owns the refinery in North Pole (14 miles to the south of Fairbanks), and they sponsor the Flint Hills Cup series. I do this race mainly for the end of year awards you get for doing every race in the series. But it's also a lot of fun with a very laid back atmosphere and lots of camaraderie. When we signed up (on-site pre-race), someone asked about the fee and the RD said "Nope, it's free. Last free race around and worth the price!" Kids ran first, which is always fun to watch. Not so many real little kids this year as last year, but still neat to see. Then they divided the wimmin into two heats, the slow chicks and the "fast wimmin." Last year the dividing line was 7 m/m goal. This year, they started there, but everyone drifted over to the slower group. So they said "8 minute miles over here!" and that got a better division (ok, this is a really fun casual race, as you can tell...). I tried to sneak over to the slower side, and got soundly rebuffed and pushed back over to the fast wimmin side. So... that means we went after the slower runners. I really didn't want to do that cuz some of these ladies do this in 15 minutes or so... I kinda wanted to get it over with and go do other stuff. I had done a 1.75 mile easy warm up, then walked a bit, then tried to rub that sore little spot below my left ankle (what the heck IS that anyway??), but it was still there. Warm up seems like it evaporated waiting for the kids to run, then the slow chicks... Finally it was time for us to go. "Fast Wimmin on the track!" yelled Dan the starter. We start all in a pack and jostle for the inside lane. Wilson was there, calling out encouragement each time I passed. I tried to do the dAAve suggestion of a sorta easy (but still quick) first 200... or was it the full 400? Oops, forgot. First 440 was 1:35 or something (starter was calling out the splits and I'm going from memory here...) so ok I thought. Second 440 was 3:20 (I think...), but I was feeling pretty good. Going into the 4th lap, Wilson yells "See those girls up there? Go get 'em!" Uh, thanks Roger. Those are Lathrop H.S. cross country studettes... Oh well, I put it up a notch cuz it was last lap, but I wanted some gas for the end. Last year I really faded at the end and didn't want that to happen again. That's when the naughty faeries started talking... ("you know, you should've had a snack at 4... you haven't eaten since 1 and that wasn't much!" "aren't you feeling tired and hungry??") errghh, I was running out of gas. When to kick? Now? Ack, don't do it too soon! Well, I put on the steam at the last turn, and I was surprised by the speed I had left. Should've kicked earlier, that's for sure. Crossed the line and got my tag pulled off, wandered over to talk to a friend for a bit, then realized I hadn't stopped my Garmin. Crap! So, hit stop at 7:08... Last year's time was 6:38 and I was totally spent after that race. This time, I felt I had something left at the end, not a good thing if your goal is to PR but mine was to finish well and not get hurt. Final Time was 6:46.7 (better than I thought it would be...) 1/9 in AG, 10/46 for overall women (lots of fast women in this town!) I realized that while running I didn't feel my foot pain or ankle twinge at all... after I cooled down a bit though, that ankle thing came back. After my heat they had three heats for the men. The slow guys, the sorta fast guys, and the really fast men. (yes, that's how they called the groups to the track!) I had several friends running in the second heat so stayed to watch them. Then the fast guys came on... I stayed to watch Wilson, and he looked pretty good at the beginning... then I started talking to a friend and lost track of the race. Sorry I didn't see you finish, Wilson! Hope it was a good one. I don't think the usual guy won (Chris E.) but he was up there... So... I need to do more speedwork... if I really cared. I had fun, and I do like the track but it's a drive to get to one of the good H.S. tracks. It's just easier to put it off till "next week..." But I'll do this race every year I'm here and able because it's just a really fun event where you get to see everyone and get re-connected with folks. Errr... fashion report, I wore a light green singlet, black Nike shorts, new Nike Air Pegasus shoes and Nordstrom running socks. Temps were in the steamy mid-60's, mostly clear skies and bright sunshine.

evan, sounds like fun, you didn't get hurt, it was free, and even came in first in your AG. Good job! Yes, you certainly have a lot of fast women in your town! huskydon

Nice race as you planned it, not too hard, not too soft, just right. And 1st AG as well! Congratulations!! It's a nice feeling when you ask for speed and find it is actually there! Enjoyed your RR, Steve

I liked how they redefined "fast wimmin" as 8:00/mile. Hey, I just might qualify! Your time was pretty good, considering you still had something left and didn't risk getting hurt. And I never knew there was actually a place called the north pole. So that's where all the letters end up.

Having the free Parks & Recreation series runs helped attract so many of us otherwise nonrunners to running. Glad they're still havin' 'em. I think I know why <>fr/fr)>>>

Evanflein Great race and congrats on 1st AG, that is quite an accomplishment. Sounds like you had a great day. Take care Tall

Only 8 seconds slower than last year and you still had gas in the tank? Excellent! Congratulations on the AG win. This definitely sounds like a fun race, too.