The Return

It's not really all that dramatic but to me it was a BAFCWT - using code here because mom reads my blog and I'd like to keep the halo above the head.... BAFCWT. Figuring it out can be like staring those specialty license plates. No matter how hard you try, zippo, nothing....you have no idea what it says. The driver does and I'm sure it was worth the $100 extra he paid to be "cute".

It was a big day for me because I hadn't raced since January 1st (recall the dip into Lake Washington). Four months is a long time to be away. My holiday was courtesy of pneumonia and back issues. It is now the dawning of a new day and I was returning to racing. I was a bit nervous even though it was only a 5 mile race. I ran that mileage the past two Sundays but the speed wasn't there. Hitting the distance was a mental victory though. Distance first, speed comes later. That's what I'm told. Right Sharon? Albert?

Regardless of your personal expectations, nerves always creep in. I told myself it'd be just another Sunday run and shave the pace down close to 9:00. Relax. That's what you say out loud. Inside there is a voice that speaks evil. "You know you can really run faster if you try"...."You've done it before"...."It'll be fine". As soon as that crazy talk crosses your mind you begin to calculate what your finish time would be and your race plan begins to shift. You begin to convince yourself very quickly that maybe you are fitter than you really are. I've done it before and believe me, your body will deliver some nasty payback the next day.

I saw a lot of friends at the race - I love that. It adds to the fun. Albert was there for the half marathon - talk about a challenge. One cannot just wake up and decide to knock out 13.1 miles. You plan, train, plan, train, it never stops. He was ready but like me, a little nervous. Between the two of us it was difficult to know how many trips to the john we made....darn nerves....He worked his way into the crowd of runners and was off and running. Quickly around the corner and whoosh...gone.

My start time was getting close so I left the warm gym and walked out to shiver at the start line. I lined up right in front and was ready to roll. Nerves gone. Garmin ready. iPod set to start me off with Taylor Swift - You belong with me. It's a manly song so shut up. The horn sounds and I'm off. Too fast. I slow down and runners pass me like I'm not even moving. I speed up. Too fast. I slow down. I dropped into somewhat of a rhythm and mile one is history. 7:57. I slow. The miles come and go and I sway between feeling good and struggling. I know I'm pushing myself beyond my plan. So I slow a bit. I'm passed. She is wearing a pink tutu. What the H? Do you know what it feels like to be passed by a tutu? The evil voice comes back. "You're not really going to let the girl in the tutu beat you?". I speed up. Mile marker 4 and the race is now me and the tutu. Everything else is invisible to me. Nothing else matters. Trouble is the tutu seems to be pulling away. I speed up. The tutu speeds up. We hit the track which means a quarter mile left. I'm tapped. The tutu has fuel in her tank. She pulls away and wins our little challenge. I'd tell her nice race but the pace of my breathing wouldn't allow for anything. I grab a water and go inside to wait for Albert.

Turns out my pace (8:12) was good enough for a 3rd place finish in my division - a good day but I already feel the rebellion my body would soon bring on. Until then I'll enjoy my personal victory. I was 64 of 404 but my heart rate average was 182. 192 during the tutu battle in mile 5. I have some work to do there.

Albert kicked butt with a 1:39:10 half marathon (7:31 pace). 51 of 474 - nice!!! His second best ever. What was more incredible was that the next day he was at the Y at 7:00 for swimming and cycle - and looking fresh. He's training for a sprint triathlon. Oh, and the Portland marathon. And let's not forget the Ragnar Relay (24 hour, 6 person, 189 mile race). I know, wow!

I'm glad to be running again and I look forward to the nasty training plan Sharon will put together for me. As I've stated many a time, I don't like much of the training, sometimes curse her, but each and every time I have followed her training plan I have turned in a great race as a result of it. So bring it on. Speed will reign once again and my friends I will once again live to my motto. Run...Don't jog.