Resolution 8k (Flushing MI)
So, found out last night that the Flint Resolution 8k was moved to Flushing at the last minute. Apparently, Flint liad off a ton of cops and was not able to support a small race...The race director from the Riverbend Striders luckily had access to Flushing HS and the race was saved!
The last few days, the weather here in Michigan (visiting Mom & Dad), has been steadily getting warmer and warmer. Race morning, it was pouring rain, which meant at least the roads would not be icy.
Dad chaufered Drew and I in the Hummer (mom could not go, as she has now caught the cold that Drew and I had...sorry mom!) and acted as our support crew. It has been 20 years since he has seen me run, so this was really exciting. AND, this is the first time he was able to see Drew (grandson) run-really, really neat!
The rain cleared up by the time we arrived at the high school (and scored a great parking spot right in front of the school, which was also near the start line). Race was only 10$ with the late fee (without the sweatshirt option, wchih looked pretty cool, but I am cheap!). Registration went really quick AND BONUS--Indoor plumbing! We were able to utilize the HS bathrooms. THAT was worth $10 alone.
Went out for warm up and, since the race was moved, had absolutely no idea where the course went. Walked over to the timing mats to ask and the wonderful gentleman went into a narrative regarding the history of the race (really I just wanted to know the general direction so wee could warm up). After the perfunctory nods and ohhs and ahhs, we finally found out that the race course would make 2 loops, a 5k loop, followed by a 3k loop, with the walkers starting slightly behind the runners (great idea!). That meant that dad would see us twice! Neat.
Jogged 2 miles and noted the slight incline marking the first mile of the race as well as the placings of the prominent puddles. The first turn also would mean that we would be heading into the wind for about 3/4s of a mile as well. Otherwise, the course looked like it basically went around some residential areas and was relatively flat.
Went back into the school and overheard some gals making fun of the few runners that were already down to shorts and singlets. Sine I was also in shorts and a singlet AND they were standing right next to me, I felt it OK to do some educating. Really, did they think I could not hear them. They looked completely shocked in their wintry warm layers and cute matching ear muffs, when I told them when we run FAST we actually get a bit over heated. I must have been speaking a different language...I even offered to show them my sheen from warming up, but they decided to move away...odd?
With a blamy 51 degrees at the astart, i was really thankful that we decided to pack our singlet (even if we won't be making the Flushing Fashion weekly...) At the start, Drew had to ask a few folks if he could get in front of them (they were, of course, int heir full winter running regalia and did not at all looko like competitors...) I opted to start behind these same guys and gave a HS gal next to me a heads up that we would have to circumnavigate their corpulent beings in order to get a decent start. But, hey, I was game...who knows, they really could have been contenders!
At the starting "GO", sadi guys got caught up inthe excitement and lokoed (at least for 10 steps) that they really were planning to race this baby all out. At that point, the one on the right stepped off onto the grass, nearly tripping my new friend and I and told his friend tovaliently go on without him. Actually very glad I started behind them, i was able to restrain myself AND get a good giggle at "Dan. DAN--are you OK?"
Saw Drew take the first turn in the lead and winced, as I remembered the next .75 was straight into the wind--but at least he had the lead bike to duck behind. Went through the first mile in 5:35 and nearly screamed, but them we realized that that was the mark for the 5k walkers that would be a bit behind us. The guy next to me asked what the time was and did not recognize that I was seriously breathing and probably could not talk. As much as I would have liked to be friendly to the 20 something dude that clearly wanted his mile times but opted to not wear a watch himself running next to the 40 year old chick that was seriouslly trying her hardest to run FAST...needless to say, I could not give the sprtieful young man his split and was happy that someone else yelled it out (though I think he really was offended...I truly was not being rude, I was trying to BREATH!) I again had a chuckle and thought that the youngster should have been running much faster with his jovial self.
Lucky surprise--the route looped in on itself at one point before the initial first loop and I was able to see that Drew was in a pack of 3 for the lead. Tried to rally a "YAY" for the young buck, but with this chest cold, it sounded quite raspy and I ended up having to launch a loogey in his general direction instead. I think he understood that it was a loogey of love as he gave me a head nod as he ran past.
By mile 2, we were traversing the extra little loop that Drew and gand just took and I could clearly see many FE's ahead of me. I puroposely restrained myself in the beginning and was planning to try to hit 6:30's for the whle race. Slowly I started catching some of the gals ahead and then found my HS friend right before the 5k mark. I was finally in control of my rasping and was able to talk to her for asecond and give her some encouragement. We noted that we went through the 5k mark at 19:40 and celebrated just a tad. Saw my dad near the 5k mark, and even though I was jumping up and down, wearing a bright orange singlet AND waving, he apparently did not see me pass...oh well, I got plenty of waves from others that were watching...
As I entered the final 3k loop, I had to dig deep to keep returning to 6:30's. Going up the small incline, i caught myself in no man's land and was creeping up to the 7's--UGH! I decided that I really needed to RACE. I haven't felt the gumption to RACE in a long time (usually I pace someone in a race, or make friends and settle for a decent age group placing). I was hoping to catch up to one of the guys ahead of me to try to draft as i was going intot he headwind, but no such luck, though I closed the gap considerably on the next pack.
Hitting the 4 mile mark, i purposely tried to give everything to test how deep the well was running today. Found myself dudes as I was nearing 6:00 fat pace and got a little bit scared about trying to hold that pace over the next mile. Folkls were telling me that I was 3rd FE, but I could not see the top 2 at all...instead of settling for my 3rd place (which i felt was relatively safe unless someone was planning to close really quick), I decided to start picking off guys. I pledged to not allow a guy to pass me in the final straight, and therefore knew that I would have to pass anyone that I was encountering with enough commitment that he would think I had more left (which I really did not...) The tactic worked as my pledge gave me the last littel oomph to look like I was actually finishing kinda fast (I really wasn't but hey...)
Looked over at me dad who was standing near the finish and give him a big wave! Drew missed my huge finish (he made friends with the guys he was running with...sigh...)--huge cuz I usually just crawl across the finish line...
Felt great through the finish and was happy with my race plan. Ran 32:31 averaging 6:32. Of course Drew ran 27: something and took 2nd. So, not bad for two mucos-y visitors from Colorado! Found out that Drew took 2nd to the D2 national Cahmp (or runner up) for the 800m from last year...not bad considering he was a senior last year! Way to go buddy!
Cooled down with a gal from Saginaw Valley and her dad and headed in to the HS to pick up our plaques AND incredible brownies and cookies. Giggled at the gals that were trying to dry their hair with the hand dryers (most of the runners had planned to go out directly after the race, since originally it was supposed to by at the YMCA with full shower facilities). Again, I realized quickly that I was not going to make the Flushing Fashion pages as I tucked in some curls and scampered out in my bright orange singlet!!
Happy New Year everyone!
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