Had a five-mile race today. For the first time I can remember, the announcer said:
Do NOT try to set a personal record. It’s way too hot and humid. Go slow. Just have fun.Note well, people: never, ever tell an alcoholic what to do.
Previous best 5 mile race:
July 20, 2005, Nike-Run-Hit-Wonder: 7:51 pace, came in 642 out of 3391 dudes (top 18.9%), 822 / 7553 overall. Although to be honest, a lot of non-runners sign up for this race, so the percentage is skewed.
Today’s 5-Mile Race, 76 degrees, 74% humidity.
July 15, 2006, Dash and Splash: 6:56 pace, came in 129 out of 1657 dudes (top 7.6%), 144 / 3227 overall.
That’s just nuts. NUTS.
Some thing cool happened to me: At mile five, I started to slow down... but this Italian dude (like from Italy, not just ethnically), gestured for me to run with him (he was using me as a pacer, apparently, and noticed when I fell behind.). So we ran together, picking the pace up a little at a time. I’ve never had somone push me (and vice versa) like that.
Then, at 200 yards to the finish, I took off in a sprint. He didn’t. I actually screamed: “COME ON!” And he smiled, put both hands up and said “No, no.” He patted me on the back after the race.
It was way cool to make a quick connection like that.
Love to all. Even you, runner who blew snot rockets every five seconds for like three minutes.
6 comments:
Beautiful, just beautiful.
I always remember my pacers...
Congrats!
I'm still wondering whatever happened to that petite girl... . How was your trip t NJ? ;)
well congrats on the PR, those were tough conditions. you were 144...you are pretty much in the sub top 5% :)
Five miles? I'm not sure how much that converts to in kilometres... I think just shy of double. That's a freaking long way to run - you have my respect for that, Rich.
Congrats to you - you crazy bastard! ;-) Glad the heat didn't slow you down.
Is snot rocket an official term?
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