The day before this race I swam in te Hudson. And I was tired. I got beat up, gave some back but tired. Swimming takes a lot out of you. Andre and DD always make fun of me for not swimming on Friday for a measly 5K on Sunday but I do think you feel it. And who knows maybe if I didn't swim the day before I would have done better still? Who the hell knows - who the hell cares. The race is in the books. Still, I was tired.
Saturday night had my usual day before run dinner: Cereal with Milk. I find that it goes down easy, gets digested fast enough for the a.m bathroom and treats my GI system well overall. I don't feel sluggish. Went to sleep at 9:30 and woke up at 6am. Walked the dog with very tired legs. Not the way to start a race.
The plan: Elizabeth had a homecare to make up so she went off at 7:45. The kids and I would get ready mean while. My mother would show up around 8:30 and Jim would show up around 8:50. Lee would finish HC at 9 am and be at the house at 9:05. Then we would all leave to race site. Kids youth races start at 9:30, while the 5K would start at 10:30. Jim was not registered.
So far so good. Everything actually happened. Lee got there a little after 9:05 but still ok. We were already waiting outside but she decided to go and change at that point. Not good. Left around 9:15. Not good. Got to race site, told them to go and found parking right in front. Kids and Lee did pickup while Jim registered. Big suprise this year was no goody bag. Usually they always had a goody bag that weighed a few pounds. This year nothing. Take your shirt and a water bottle if you want. I took a water bottle which Jessie immediatly claimed as hers. Jim and I went for bone marror testing and registering in a web site while the kids ran. I managed to see Jeremy finish but not Jessie. Still both got medals and all happy.
Eventually speeches are over and we head to the start.
I was very glad Jim and Pepe and I previewed the course. Sucks that Lee couldn't last week but it was a great plus knowing the course and what's coming up. It's a tough course and it will chew you up.
At the start Hillel (RD), gave strict warning to the kids on bikes not to get in the way and to let the runners go first. Good job!
Meanwhile I saw Suzanne's Fertig in front of me, yet 3rd man in. I told him to say excuse me and go forward. He belonged in the front. Had to literally push him forward. In front of me, a woman turned to Jim and me and apologized for being in front of us. She knew she didn't belong there but her kid insisted in being in front and that she be near him and since he was little she complied. Whatever. At least she was apologetic about it. Some one in front complained to his mother that he is in the front but that he has to bend down so not to hit a car side's mirror. Funny.
OK, here we go: 3 - 2 - The Shofar blows. We start. The little kid who didn't belong in the front, fell down as soon as we started. CRAP! I had 3 choices and a very small split second to decide. The first choice (human being) was to stop and make sure he is ok and that no one tramples him. Of course, what would have happened is everybody probably would have pushed me on top of him and trampled us both. The second choice (not a human being) was to simply run him over. The third choice and the one I took was to hurdle. I did. I hurdled right over him. Jim later told me he thought I was gonna clip him on his head with my shoe. It was that close. I had no time and about 5 feet and I jumped right over him and didn't stop. Not nice I know but probably the smartest choice. Said a prayer in my head for him and continued. Ran with Adam Orlow for the first 1+ mile before I had to give that up. Didn't know where Jim was and started wondering if he stayed behind with the kid.
One of the worst hills came. You make a left on Kent, up a hill. You then go a block, turn right and you have another 3 or 4 blocks of uphill. I think mile 1 was right there too. Tough. Started speaking to a fellow APS member named Marlon who I think won his age group 50-54(?). We ran together but he eventually broke off in Cunningham Park to beat me.
At the water stop, a guy who went to High School with me (1 or 2 years older) had a loudspeaker and yelled my name. In front of me, 2 girls at the water stop were throwing water at the kid in front of me but they had nothing for me. Turned around a little and grabbed some water.
Continued running and saw Tammi at the left before the park. She was yelling encouragement. Got to the park, got some more water and continued on. I was hoping to recover a little at this point and to push but it was hard. Rounded the circus and continued in the park. As I was about to leave the park, Jim passed me. All that's left is a 3 block up hill and then a right turn into another block or 2 of uphill. I could have pushed more here - I should have pushed more here - I didn't push more here. I was hurting. Did what I can up the hill and made sure no one passed me. Maybe it would have been better if there was a challenge for me to rise up to.
Got a drink, air, schmoozed a little and then went to see about Elizabeth. Had to disentangle myself from a conversation as I saw Lee make the turn. Usually I am already there to push her but at least Jim was there. I joined them. She was on the heels of Suzanne Fertig but refused to try to pass her because she didn't want to hurt her fellings. WHAT?!? Whatever...I should be used to this silliness by now.
Lee finished and while she was recovering, Jim, Gail and I went around again but in a more comfortable speed. As we were crossing 188th, we startled the cops who already re-opened the street for traffic. The volunteers/marshalls were also suprised. Told them we loved it the first time, we just had to it again. Truth is we needed the mileage. Gail was run 30 miles the next day. Sheesh!
Thanked people along the way for sprinkers and support. Thanked whatever cops we saw as well. Caught up to a few walkers before the last climb up to the finish line, right after the park.
Commuting on the L.I.R.R has conditioned my body to relax and/or fall asleep at a certain time. Around 4:30, my lirr train back, I started crashing. We were gonna have an early dinner but I asked Lee if I could just lay down on the couch for a few minutes both of us realizing that means a little nap. Lee agreed so there I went. Of course, right there and then the kids decided it would be a good time to give me my birthday present. The kids have been working diligently on coloring this picture (1 from each of them), then my mother took it to get it lamenated. Jessie with Lee's help did a wizard kind of thing. Jeremy did a dragon with very fine details kind of thing. Now, it's the kind of picture that when you hold it to the light or against a window it looks even better and it was. Commented to Elizabeth that if this is what the kids do when I go on a long bike ride or a long run then I should do more of those to give them more opportunity. Got a smile with a small roll of the eyes. No "shush" or anything like that. Cool stuff. After that, I went up to the bedroom for a quick small nap. Lee and Jessie took the dog for a long walk while Jessie went bike riding. They walked/rode to the park. Jeremy was playing on the computer. Seemed like I was only out for a second or two when I heard them call me. Actuality it was around an hour and 20 minutes. Felt Oh So Good! Guess, I really needed that.