Two of Elizabeth's co-workers (Courtney and Jenny) were going to do it and publicized it at Stepping Stone. So, they ask Lee who then asks Jeremy. All Jeremy hears are the words "HOT CHOCOLATE" and he's down. But now, there's a decision to be made... Do the 5K or the new longer distance (for him) of a 10K... Decisions, decisions...He has done 2 5 milers so another 1.2 mile... And he is running in school... And I think he didn't want to get chicked or I guess Mom-ed by his Mom so he decided on the 10K. Cool. I also let Jonathon Schulman know about it and he seemed interested. Offered to drive him and asked if Jessie could hang at their house that day. He said no problem so I figured if I am already there anyway...
Signed us up...Actually signed up Elizabeth twice. What a garbage website...
Adele joined in the fun too and we had a crew.
Saturday before the race, I rested. The week before was the 50K trail, I'm injured and the next day was the race. I rested. I'm cool with that.
Courtney went to packet pickup on Saturday and was kind enough to get all of our stuff too. Nice. This race had no shirts but instead Hot Chocolate Mugs. Nice...
Looking at part of the course, something hit me immediatly. Parts of the course are very narrow and passing might be an issue. Also, because of Sandy, parts of the course had to be re-routed so MUD was expected.
Walked around and eventually hung out at Starbucks so Jeremy could get his addiction on. At 9:15, we went to escort Jonathon to the 5K start which was different than the 10K start. Looking at the people there, I immediatly told him to hang toward the front as there are a lot of non-runners there and because of the narrowness of the course. Glad to see he listened to me. His previous PR was 26+ and even though this course was mostly flat, passing and wind was an issue. He ended up with 25+ and a new PR.
His start was 9:30 and ours was at 10:00 so I went and checked our bag with all of our cloths and we went to find the 10K start.
As we get there, I ask the announcer about the course. He explained it to me and then told me to make sure I am in the front.
I got me a complement. One that as soon as I started running I hated and eventually I think I appreciated. One that may have ultimatly helped.
So the course...The 5Kers had 1 loop around the Island. That's it! We were supposed to have had 2 loops but again Sandy messed things up. We started up a small hill and did a very small loop right back to the beginning. There instead of making a right turn up the hill again, we continued straight (South), made a right and a right and went North all the way to the top where it was very muddy. From there back South, crossing the finish line and continuing again to the starting line. This time, we did make the right to go up the hill and back North to the top, through the mud and back South to the finish line. Being an Islandm, we were always near the water and constantly exposed. At times, I got a little warm and at times very cold. The wind was a factor in certain places too.
So, we haven't started yet and this runner came up. I thought that he missed the 5K start and came here instead. Later I heard he finished the 5K and then came here for the 10K. I don't know which. The results don't have him running the 5K but he did win the 10K. In any case, he looks at me and says "Am I running with you today?". WOW!!! I got 2 complements that day. Told him my story (did a 50K, doing a 50K and injured) and told him sure...we will run together at the start and when you pass me on the second loop later. HAHA...
Race started and I felt good. I had the endorphins and tons of complements and also unfortunatly my pain. Still, I ran well. Wind was definitly a factor. I was wearing shorts and the legs felt fine but I was worried about my hat. Took it off. Eventually put it back on and it flew off but I managed to catch it - Whew...
Continued running. Every time, I felt the wind, I took the hat off otherwise I put it back on.
I was worried about my crew, especially Jeremy, but they had to deal with their own issues and I with mine.
Ran and the fast guys took off. After that, it was a matter of trying to hold my position in the field. Nothing really important to note here.
As I crossed the finish line for the 1st time, a Hellgater (woman in her 50's) passed me. She knew Courtney and saw her. I wished her luck and let her go. Six ot seven other people passed me and it's all good. There was a black guy who passed me who looked like he was barely running while I was trying to run hard. He passed me with that easy stroll and I could not match this kid. Oh well.
I did come up across a 15 year old who I thought was doing the 5K but it turns out was doing the 10K. Ran with him and passed him at the mud. Wished him well. Started picking those who passed me off. Got the Hellsgater too. Finished strong with her 2 seconds behind me. If I had another 25 yards, I would have gotten 1 more but that's ok. Mutual thanks to the Hellsgater. We both helped each other that's for sure.
Oh yeah, 1 funny thing that happened... As I crossed the finish line the first time, who do I see taking pictures? Jonathon who didn't even realize it was me...
As soon as I finished, I didn't get food or drink... Immediatly went to look for my guys. Walked backwards and cheered lots of people until I finally see Jeremy. I yell out Jeremy and he doesn't see me but hears me. It was kinda funny as I am yelling JEREMY!!! and him looking around but eventually we meet and we run/walk together. He's doing well actually. Slower than what he was hoping for but not beat up either.
Turns out he started with the Girls for the first 2 miles, leapfrogging with them until he got tired off it and left them. Probably ended with negative splits and feeling strong because of it.
He then started leapfrogging with this other woman until we met. She was still there too. Ran him to the finish, told him to get Hot Chocolate while I go look for the girls. Eventually, I caught up with them and I brought them in to. They caught up with a threesome and one of the woman there branched out to run just behind them using them as pacers. When we were almost at the finish, I yelled GO-GO-GO and they both replied GOING...I looked at the passenger and told her to GO to and she laughed.
All in all, Jeremy had 1 starbucks Hot Chocolate and 3 more at the finish. He was happy tho his knee/legs were hurting. Later we found out that he got 3rd for age (14-19) while I got 3rd for 40-49. Ten year age groups baby! The interesting thing was that while 2nd place was almost 2 minutes ahead of me, 4th place was 33 seconds behind me and I think I know exactly who it was. I think it was one of the people who passed me who later I passed back...NICE!