maple Grove half race report....

never got to this one yet.

but oh, what a race it was!

what a busy morning...trying to decide

what to wear was the least of my worries,

so i thought.



Anyway....



Race slotted for 7:30 AM...got up and out the door at 6:30

and headed off to Shawns house so we could carpool to the race!

Got there at 6:45 just like I said i would, but wasn't completely ready

to hit the road yet, needed to change up a few things.

Lets keep in mind that every day leading up to race day had been

pretty nice weather, hot dang, we were stoked for a replication of last

years perfect day.

But NO! we got 37 degrees and windy for race start. Ughhhhhh...

no big deal, we are Minnesotans for God's sake,

we eat 37 degrees for breakfast and an appetizer before dinner as well!

i was gonna roll with the new nike running shorts

and a long sleeve 1/4 zip running shirt.

so, from top to bottom, bottom to top...it went like this....

New Asics Trainer 14's (love hate relationship! Fast and lite, but my Achilles really hate me)

Skins compression socks....keep me warm and cozy from the knee down!

nike lite running shorts (black and red)

C9 1/4 zip long sleeve (tight fit) running jersey

Lite running coat for start of race

sunglasses!



Why does all this matter...well it doesn't,

especially two weeks later...lol!



My goal for this race was not only to finish (that's a constant goal)

but to beat last years number, and to beat it decently.

Last year = 1:45:12

This year = 1:40:22



I like this year better! And 'under trained' physically mind you!!



how did it all pan out? I knew that was your next question....

No technology,
no mythology...
just pure energy...
bringing me to the end you see.

Chip on my foot,
sensor in my mind
knowing i have it in me
knowing that its time.

The race had started, we were off! i felt pretty good for the first few miles, and I was running with friends, chatting. I love talking and running, but i always run slower in that scenario, so I pulled myself away, a little ahead. Kept up a consistent pace, I think, since I had no watch...I had to ask fellow runners what time they had thus far, what kind of pace they were holding. my goal pace to keep was around 7:40 or so (realistic goal that is)...that is what we were holding, that seemed to feel pretty good.

I had to change my running style a few times...from midfoot striking to heel striking, the pain of the hills and my calves was getting to me form time to time. no problem...quicker steps quicker release. the miles just seemed to melt away on this day. I never really felt out of oxygen or out of breath. I was running hard though! I was also enjoying myself out there...talking to people as they came by or I went by them. Exchanging smiles and some laughter along the way. It was a good day! Toward the end (last 3 miles or so) i found myself chatting it up with a couple of guys who were out there just doing their thing, running a solid race, also enjoying themselves. We chatted as we ran and i saw (and felt) our pace pick up a bit...it felt real good, my legs were real good too. With about a mile left the guy i had been pacing said he had just enough in him to hold this pace to the end....yet he urged me to pick off as many of the runners ahead of us as I could in the next mile or so. I could see 5 in my sights! "go get 'em" he said to me, and I instantly kicked it up a notch. Like an old coach I used to have...he knew me, he knew I would go get em, and I did. Stride fro stride, feeling the strength of my Mom and my God!

I re-entered the high School stadium and had to make a half loop around the track to the finish. Glory all the way through! IZ was cheering, waiting, happy...so was I. A good finish, a good race. The time mattered, but it really didn't matter all that much. So a quick bite to eat and watched a few of my buddies cross the finish, Drew had a great race and had crossed that line many many minutes before me and 566 other people as he took 5th overall. Nice job, good show. good job to all my pals who were out there, and thanks to Marty for cheering me on at mile 3, and to Jeff (and his kids) for cheering me on at mile 12. Thanks for your support.

Now back to the house to get the kids breakfast and to hang out for the rest of the day and relax.

Cheers,

GK17