2011....I wonder

Don't we all sit back about now and think about the new year?  We wonder what is in front of us, what's lurking around the corner, just ahead on the horizon - it has to be good...right?  We also take time to reflect on the past year, putting behind us those things we don't want to repeat, while embracing those that we can only say "again".  Reflection for me started months ago and as such, I won't bore you with all that. It's enough to say that 2010 was not an easy year. Fact is, the best way to describe it is "FUSFS".  Likely not what you're thinking - so there!

Today however is day one of a new year and I started it off with what else? Yup, a 5k.  We were out in masses, a small army. Albert, David, Heather, Iain, Jen, Sharon, Steve, and myself. Iain and Steve did not run due to injury recovery - sometimes the smart decision (and hardest) is not to run. Speaking of that, our friend Kerrie made the smart choice today as well. Iain and Steve helped lug our crap around. We had so much because some of the crazies decided to jump in the water so additional clothes were necessary. Don't let that task sound small, it isn't. Knowing I had dry clothes and my inhaler waiting for me at the finish was very important to me! I was also lucky enough to see Sherah and her family. Sherah and her daughter Kat ran and did the dip in Lake Washington. I heard her family cheering me on as I made my way into the water. That is until the cold water started to shut down my life signs...more on that later. This isn't my first race with the Busch clan and I love to see them out there. That Kat is a firecracker. She finished 3rd in her age division today.

Our drive to the race was fairly uneventful except for two things. Albert got in trouble a lot :)  and Sharon was making some strange noises. You know that sound you make when you have a popcorn kernel stuck in the back of your throat and you are trying to get it out. I don't even know how to try and spell that sound but I heard it - for miles...

It was cold....somewhere around freezing. After our customary line up at the honey buckets we all split up. Runners each have their own warm up routine and rarely does anything come between a runner and that routine. Mine consisted of a short jog to the bushes for what else but another pee. I had zero nerves about running today. I didn't plan on racing, simply running, hitting the water and starting the year off right. David and a new friend that I am embarrassed that I cannot recall his name lined up with me. The gun sounded and we were off. Very crowded in the beginning and multiple ice patches we had to work around. Within minutes I was running alone. People all around me but I was just doing my pace and feeling very comfortable. I never felt tired but managed to hit the time I ran last year and finished 12th in my age group. This same pace last year wiped me out. Wonder if this cross training thing really works after all?  Guess so. Thanks Coach!

I hit the parking lot and like last year knew I was about a quarter mile from the water. Coming down the stretch I took my shirt off (possible photo of that one ladies - but I need to see if any airbrushing is required before posting).  I hit the water at a fair pace and bam...bam...that lake is cold. 42 degrees....You forget how hot your body gets when you run. Mix that with cold water and your heart stops. I think mine did. Maybe it just felt like it. It took my breath away but soon I was making my way out of the water and around the corner for the final stretch. I usually sprint this but water from previous runners covered the road and it had frozen, making the final sprint more of a careful run. Saw Iain who handed me my bag of clothes and I knew I was done and ready to change. Hold on!  Where was Albert? We went to the dock only to see him hit the water, go under, and come up smiling. He had finished the race but decided to go back and do the dip anyway - Crazy man!

Speaking of crazy, both Sharon and Albert ran sub 20's today. Sharon having visited the doctor the day before wasn't in top shape yet ran like a demon. Her mental strength is incredible. Officially she finished first in her age division and was the 3rd overall woman. Albert was 5th in his age division and of course as mentioned, apparently wasn't tired and decided to run into the lake. I appreciate these two more that I could ever tell them.

How about some more crazy? Ok. I take my clothes to the changing tent and there is a line to get in. F that, I'm wet and cold. I grab my backpack and walk to the parking lot. Found a sweet spot between a Toyota and a Honda and decided that was my changing area. It's important to know that naked is not a big deal to me. While I don't walk around that way, sometimes I just figure that everyone has seen someone naked so it's really nothing new. I think this way when it fits the situation. Today it did. Soon I was stripping off the wet stuff while trying unsuccessfully to hold a towel around my waist. It didn't work so I dropped it and quickly tried to slip on some underwear - still being a little wet, that process didn't happen as fast as one would have hoped. How hard is it exactly to slip your foot in?  I'm sure I looked like I was doing a rain dance. Oh well.  If you come across me on YouTube, please, don't email the link around. Thanks....

The drive to Starbucks was funny. Between the cold, asthma, and illness, our coughing sounded like we'd been smoking Marboros for 30 years. Soon we had our drinks in hand and sat around laughing and being louder than maybe we should have. We really don't think about that - after all, we're athletes!  Steve is sending me pictures so I will have some to post.  The race is done and I'm in front of my computer wondering what 2011 will bring. What changes are around the corner?  Will that pimple on my forehead finally go away?  I joke. But that's how I cope. It's how I roll. It doesn't always work but more often that not, it gets me through. I know I will be a better man this year. Some might say that wouldn't be hard to do. Others would say "good for you".  Me?  I will do the best I can, think before I act, measure twice and cut once. Throughout it all I will run....I will swim....and when the day is done I will lay my head on my pillow and know that I was a better man.