XC2, whom has been upgraded from "Blogger Nemesis" to "Running Buddy" convinced me to sign up for the Leprechaun 10K. If you want the most abbreviated version of the race and if you want to see a well composed photograph of she and another running blogger, go there.
For a slightly more detailed and well-written version, keep reading:
I had gone back and forth on whether I was going to go for a PR. I mean, I had done some intervals on the treadmill, so I at least was trying this time. I finally settled on the fact that it was a LEPRECHAUN RACE. So taking it seriously took a back seat to having some fun.
After n-u-m-e-r-o-u-s emails between XC2, New Running Buddy, and myself, we finally determined that I would drive. Partly because I didn't want to jump into either of their cars and, next thing you know they find my carcass in a field with only my Road ID and one Mizuno to identify me.
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| XC2 and New Running Buddy |
On the way there, they proceeded to talk about stuff that didn't interest me. I just concentrated on the music and the jackhole ahead of me that was out for a nice drive.
Our starting point was at the Strategic Air and Space Museum, just between Omaha and Lincoln. It's a pretty cool place and our starting line was in one of the air hangars. Aside from the fact that they used a sound/PA system more appropriate for a much smaller room, it was cool to have the National Anthem played in there. After that, the hangar doors opened and the women were off.
Wait 5 minutes....
And I was off! Guess how easy it is for a Garmin to lock onto satellites in an air hangar. Exactly. I started out sans Garmin and I quickly shut it off and turned it back on as soon as I got outside. After accepting the fact that my Garmin time would be wayyy off, I could at least check my pace.
The first mile was kind of rough, but once I threw off the rust, I sailed along at a pretty decent clip. Even though this started out as a LEPRECHAUN RACE, I mayyyy have decided about halfway through, that a PR was within my reach. That wasn't my #1 goal though. My main goal was to catch up to, and pass, certain people all along the race.
- Fellow relay race team member - passed at mile 4.15
- Assistant cross country coach - passed near mile 5
- Another fellow teacher - passed near mile 5.15
- My carmates - passed near mile 5.25
That was probably the best part although I shouldn't have slowed down to gloat. I should've just clipped their heels, laughed at them as I jumped over and kept on moving because my finishing time was 50:15. I was hoping for a sub-50:00 time and, of course, I blame XC2.
Back to Blogger Nemesis status for her.
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| Admittedly, one of my better racing pics. It has been described as "studly". And I have the documentation to prove that. |
