Bellevue 5K

Today was a good day. The weather welcomed us with sunshine and the warmest race day we've seen this year. I thought about wearing shorts. Then I stood in front of the mirror staring at my bone white legs and decided to wear my tights. I mean running pants. Hey, I didn't do it for me, I was thinking about the safety of others....little kids....weak hearts....women screaming.

Even better was that the three of us were back running together again. Albert was in top form and Sharon though recovering from mouth surgery, joined us. But wait, there's more! Jerry (recently back from his debut at the Boston Marathon) was there to watch, cheer, and snap a few photos. Joining the run was Nicole Rad who just the week before called me out, stating that she would (cover your eyes kids) kick my ass - you can bet there will be more on that later, hang tight. Her husband Jason also ran (his first 5K I believe). With them, Tori. I saw her on the course as she blew by me during mile 2....while going uphill....didn't even appear impacted by the rise in elevation (I was looking for a rope-tow). We also got to meet Kate and her son Lucas. They came to watch Albert. Kate and Albert are....humm, how would I phrase this? It's very likely that both will read this blog and I don't want to mis-speak. They've been on a date, only one I think. All I can say after meeting her and seeing their interaction is that another date is likely in the cards. Kate is very nice and so easy to talk to. She and Lucas joined us for the post Starbucks tradition and she fit in like she'd been around us forever. Lucas was the perfect gentleman (4 years old I think). He didn't fidget once and we all know how boring adults can be to the young.

Ok, the race. The official results listed 431 runners. I have first hand knowledge that there were actually 432. What? An extra runner? Could someone have snuck into this race without paying? We runners call them bandits. They run without a bib (number), they run without care, they run without paying....Today that was our friend Sharon. To her defense she was coming off mouth surgery and wasn't sure she'd be able to run. In fact she brought a camera to take pictures. So....after a warm up jog she looks at me and says - and I quote - "I'll run with you". Thank you I say, with you pacing me I'll be sure and beat Nicole and have a good run. "Done" she says. It's important to mention that a pacer will normally run next to you or a step ahead to keep you motivated and hitting a specific pace. The starting gun goes off and we're moving. A great pace. I ask Sharon to run a yard in front of me to I can focus on her and not think about my pace. She nods and rolls up in front of me. Sweet, this race is going to rock! Reality hits. By the time I've covered a half mile she's so far in front of me that I can no longer see her. I think to call out but then I'd just look like some crazy guy running alone. It was nice while it lasted and I think to myself that I'll have to thank her for the half mile pacing and remember next time to be clear that I'd like the whole 3.1 miles.....I check my GPS and I'm running under a 7:00 minute pace. @&#@! I've never done that. I manage my best ever first mile at 7:02 - thank you Sharon for showing me that I do have it in me even though I have trouble finding it myself. I'm feeling great and ahead of me runners are turning left.....

Left.....yes, I turned left. As I did I looked ahead and saw the longest hill/incline I'd seen in a long time. Wait a frickin minute I'm thinking to myself, the website said "Fast flat course". If that guy thinks this is flat then he must be in heaven at Hooters. Ok, we all might be in heaven at Hooters but geez, those buffalo wings are simply the best....Halfway up this hill was when Nicole's friend Tori passed me. Don't worry, she wasn't alone. Seemed like the whole city of Bellevue was passing me. They weren't of course but I did have a moment of self pity as well as echo's of Albert and Sharon telling me to run hills as part of my training. I'll listen to them next time.

The rest of the race was seemingly uneventful. I was taxed. Started faster than I should have and wasn't ready for the hill. Even so, I had a good run. My target was 23:30 and I came in at 23:29. 43rd out of 431, and finished 8th in my age division. Six weeks until I hit 50 and a new division awaits - I'll be ready. Albert again stood tall. He set a personal record! 20:24.....BAM! 9th out of 431...9th! He was 3rd in his division. I didn't see him run. After the first couple minutes he was gone. Destiny was waiting for him. How about our little bandit? Unofficially she came in second in the women's division. The first place finisher hit the line at 20:38 and the official second place finisher registered 22:23. Sharon wasn't that far behind first place so look out for her at the next race. I see a PR comin!

Nicole Rad. The woman that called me out. I could say that I beat her by 2:14 and do a little dance but I'm a crappy dancer and what good would that do anyway? Instead I will say that Nicole has impressed me. I remember when she told me she was going to start running. Hearing stories of her progress and success. She has trained hard and not once backed down from one of her goals. It's easy to give up and it takes something special to push forward when you know it's going to hurt. Today she ran a 25:43, was 92nd out of 431, 6th in her division, and ran a 8:18 pace. It was a personal record!!! Keep it up Nicole, you are a runner!