Last message to John……’in, I presume it’s somewhere on our side of town….’. That was in response to his request to meet at 5:00 tomorrow for a very small group run. That’s 5:00a.m.–on a weekday. Yup, a.m. Our Tuesday p.m. group will take it easy after today’s officially sanctioned Labor-day-run-at-saguaro-national-park.
So he figured we’d just meet early and get in the same workout before the day starts. Five a.m.
I mostly stopped showing up at the Taco w/the SCRC et.al probably 18 months ago now. For only one reason–in general I’d become increasingly exhausted and refused to set an alarm on the weekends. Meant I slept through most of the Taco starts. Yes two days ago I was up in time to get ready and drive to the U. Bookstore on campus to meet the group for a 10 mile routine Saturday run. Drive to make a 6:00a.m. start. And today I was up in time to shower, dress, and drive across town for a 6:30 a.m. race start. A 6:30 race start. An eight-miler; not even a marathon!
This event is the second of three events in honor of Gabe Zimmerman; one of the individuals killed in the Tucson shootings eight months ago. Ames and I signed up for the series and are committed to them–regardless of any minor inconveniences. Gabes father took the mic after Race Director (and my new coach) Randy announced him. He spoke only for a couple of minutes: pointed, positive, encouraging. Apparently he’s been a positive public face during what must still be unbelievably difficult times for the family. An inspiration and genuinely nice guy, Gabe’s father.
Weather moved through in the pre-dawn hours and left behind a few clouds and a beautiful rainbow in the southwestern sky. I’d take the increased humidity if it meant we’d lose the sun for the next hour. Randy blew the horn for the 6:30 (a.m.) start and I was off on my first timed event since December of last year–meaning my first post-op. I’d ridden out from home (25miles bike ride each way) and slow-jogged the course a week earlier. I’ve been on the course a few times–oddly enough I’ve actually completed this race three consecutive years! I knew this would be more mental for me than physical–no time goal; simply keep the knee away from the stampede the first mile until I could settle in to a sustainable pace. This would also be a mental challenge for Ames–her first 8 mile race and on really a challenging course—near constant hills either up or down; we talked strategy (for her) the entire drive over. Worked out well for her in the end.
Mile 1 is far more down than up–constant rollers; one of them pretty fierce on the quads/knees so I backed off significantly. Even so I still felt the normal frustration of running past folks who started rows and rows ahead of where they should~~ I didn’t miss that during my down time. By Mile 2 I’d run up by several folks I’ve met through Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday runs–that felt good; feels good to feel a sense of belonging. I tossed out a borderline rude comment to one~~ felt bad as soon as it came out–put me out another six months with some of these folks and it probably would be received a bit better. Just caught up in the adrenaline of the first ‘race’ in nearly nine months. Through 2 and heading into 3 I still hadn’t figured out a goal pace. At 3.5 we start up the big hill–by Mile 4 I ran into an actual photographing cheering group! Kamran and Mark had run up from Broadway for their workout and were planted on the big hill cheering on our team. Wow—that really made me feel at home!! I was so shocked I think I threw up some goofy high-five or arm shake or something for the camera. Dork.
By Mile 5 I really resented forgetting to charge my watch~~ I’ve not run by pace since December; only by heartrate and actual clock time. Today I intended to run by heart rate. Instead I ran by tossing my gaze ten feet in front of me until I could see another set of heels to chase and pass. Starting slow was the right move; into 5 the only folks who passed me did so as I tripped on my loose laces~~ I’d passed the three of them on the uphill and as it started to temper/level I stumbled~~ stooped to tighten them then picked up where I left off. Mile 6 and I was yo-yo-ing with a couple guys~~ finally lost both of them by 7 . Around that time I was overtaken by youth as some of the young ‘ens started slipping by on the downhill grade to the finish. That was ok; I was finished; the knee a bit tweaked, 88degrees and humidity had me drenched and by now I had no idea what my pace had been. I ran into Chris and Tom cheering us on around Mile 7 and was happy to pull in under an hour~~ success.
I jogged to the refreshments, grabbed some sort of vitamin drink and headed back on the course to pick up Ames. She shocked me by only being a mile back~~ by my estimates about 8-10 minutes ahead of schedule. Completely threw off her rhythme~~ she wasn’t happy I came back as she was planning to shock me with a fast finish. Good for her~~ she worked hard and earned it. Ten more miles in the books; 8 at pace and a couple for a cool-down~~ really a great morning.
Third consecutive year and my times have become worse each year~~ hmmm….perhaps a hint to try some new events around town! Less then a month till the third event of the Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown~~ we’re looking forward to it!
AniMal