Last time I did this (2005), I got there and Dom from Quantum Feet, saw me and immediatly grabbed me. They couldn't get the software running. No software - No race! Told him I need to pee but he said to me, pee later, we will wait for you. Got his software running and he says that the race is on in 2 minutes. I said to him, "WAIT!!!!! Gotta pee". He waited.
This time, made sure to go to bathroom first. No problem with software too.
All the usual suspects were there and more. We get there and I see Laughlin freezing with the wind and a whole bunch of Striders. Jamil was there. Jim and friends were there. Obviously Quantum Feet were there. Andre was there and whatever her name from the swim. Also, Minnie Mouse, Snow White, Flash, woman baseball player and a lady Robin.
I was going to wear a singlet and shorts but last minute grabbed a long sleeve shirt. Oh My God! Windy and freezing. Especially near the water. Jim's friends lent me a pair of gloves. During the race, I pulled the sleeves up but did not give up the gloves.
Due to construction, they changed the course this year. Instead of the 1.5 - 2 loops in Fort Totten and a little on the Cross Island, it was leave the fort, go extra on the Cross Island and then 1 loop of the Fort.
Before we knew it, the race started. Jamil sprang out into the front. I was a little ahead of Jim. That was strange. WTF?!? He tells me that he's just not feeling it. He tells me that "he's gonna draft of the Hirsch". Funny. Eventually he took off. I knew he would. The Cross Island was windy but doable. The turn around came and I saw the leaders. Jamil way in front. Saw Andre on the grass. Nice to see him - Haven't seen him since his accident. Waiting for him to pass me.
The hill into the Fort sucked. The wind was in my face. Refused, nicely with thanks, the water. It was too cold. Loop around the Fort. Maybe a PR? Maybe a medal? Hm.
Everything looked good. But still running. End was NOT in sight. Finally, last hill. The wind was horrible. I was running up the hill as hard as I could into the wind and I felt like I was walking. Finally see the finish line. Some guy behind me makes a move. No thank you. Finally pushed. He screams, "You go man - all yours". No PR. Oh well. It is what it is. Gotta think about next week anyway. Today is less distance but higher intensity. Check!
Results: 3rd in age. Who would have known. 2005(23:41.9) - 2009(22:49.x). I don't know what to think about this. The course was easier so makes sense I did better but only a minute? Would I have done better in 2005 with this course? I did probably run as hard as I could so oh well, in my defense the wind was bad.
Haven't placed in an age group in about 2 years now. Does it matter in the grand scheme of things? NO! Will it make me a better person or athlete? NO! Does it feel good, once in a while? YES - YES - YES! Better yet, this was 10 year age groups which is harder so cool beanies. And what's better you ask? I beat number 4 in my age group by 4 seconds! Sucks to be him...4 seconds.
Finished and brought Lee in. Jessie ran the kids races. Jeremy didn't want to.
Actually beat Andre. Not that it matters. He did beat me in 2005.
Overall winners: Jamil led the whole way with number 2 shadowing him, drafting off him. Last minute he sprung ahead and beat him by about 8 seconds. Jamil thinks that number 2 knew the course and knew when to jump out. Maybe. Still Jamil should have known when 3 miles is almost over. Bad move on his part. Anyway, he did really well - 18:08. Awesome dude.
Next week is NYC. After that, we'll see. Doing 5K's is different. Short and over before you start which is great but you're working so much harder than a distance run.