This 4th of July, I ran my 2nd 5K race. I should mention that despite always being active, I am a novice runner at best, and I recognize the value of my accomplishment as minimal is the world of long distance racing. Its not like the Brentwood Firecracker is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. So if you are expecting training tips, or anything of that sort from this blog, I'm sorry to disappoint you.
The main reason I've run these races is to say that I've done something like this at least once in my lifetime. And I also think its good to be conditioned for a long distance run because if I ever encounter a bear, I want to think that given a big enough head start, I could run fast and far enough that it would eventually give up on me and settle for snacking on some berries. Perhaps one day I'll work my way up to a marathon, and the story will be better. But I am far from competitive and my expectations are realistic.
I talked to my friend who has run the Boston Marathon after my first race and we discussed the entire event. He said what I saw was quite the norm for the 5K circuit. If you have never done this type of race, allow me to describe what it is like.
First, these races are for charity, so there is an entry fee. But you do get a "free" t-shirt for it. You have to register, sign in, get your number, and timing device. After that, you just need to wait for the race to start, and if you're me, consistently remind yourself of your pre-race goals (mine are always modest - don't finish last, and don't walk were my 1st race goals. This year I added beating my previous time, but by no significant amount. And of course if a bear should escape from the zoo, don't be the one who gets eaten).
A 5K brings out all types of people. Children from ages 8 and up to senior citizens in there 70's. You'll get groups of young guys wearing makeshift, sometimes comical uniforms, announcing themselves as a team. I saw 4 guys wearing viking hats. I didn't find out if they were Team Awesome's rivals or not before the race. I only saw Team Awesome members #9 and #25 prior to the race, and not during. Did they crack under the pressure caused by their namesake? Did they feel they were too awesome to run, and instead saved their uniforms -white t-shirts with Team Awesome and their number written on the back with a sharpie- for an appearance int he post race parade? M money says they just ended up hanging around the beer truck (free beer for the racers at the Brentwood Firecracker if you're looking for a race or cheap place to get drunk in the morning next 4th of July). You can predict where people will finish just based on their dress really. The cleaner the shoes, and higher and tighter their shorts, the more serious they are about running. You'll see a bunch of people warming up and running the route, individually or in groups. The farther down the route they go to warm up, the farther ahead they will finish ahead of you. I try to look the part and run a little bit. I really need to bring a watch though, as I do it too early. I warm up then go the start line and stand there 10 minutes and cool down, thinking what a dummy I am.
However this down time provides me an opportunity to size up the "competition" and establish some new race goals. I look around and decide which people I have to beat. Its not a blow to my self esteem to lose to children. I know when I was 10 I probably could have beaten any other 8-12 year old in that race. They have gym class, recess, weekends, and summer vacations to run and play sports non-stop. I played just as hard as they do. And I wouldn't get too bent out of shape losing to a 70 year old either. If they can do a 5K at 70, they must have been running their whole lives. Here's my basic run down of the type of people I pick out that I feel I should beat - any girls in their early 20's wearing makeup and pretty hair, any men with considerable beer guts, and people with 2 or more braces of any kind. As the race progresses and the pack thins out, I set my sight on others as motivation.
Other thoughts from the race:
-Playing the theme from Rocky at the start line was very inspirational. I wish I had heard more than 6 seconds of it.
- Seems to be bottle necking here at the beginning, and this old man in front of me has lively elbows. Screw what I said about losing to old people. He is in-race goal #1. I have to get in front of him.
-Hey there's my wife and kids. God my wife is great to sit on the sidewalk with our four kids on this hot day as I do this. S*** I better finish quick.
-Will those paper thin short running shorts ever go out of style? Seriously?!!
-OK, in-race goal #2 is right ahead of me. She's a fit young women in her 20's, and if this race were on a beach, she would be kicking sand all up in my face with her high kick and twist of her feet. How rude.
-People ahead with cups. Must be the beer I heard they give out during the race. I'm in. No wait, they gave a cup to that kid. It can't be beer. Pass.
-In-race goal #3. I just passed that girl in the blue shirt. How did she get ahead of me again? Am I her in-race goal? Oh its on.
-More drinks ahead. Water. Crap. I take one anyway. Good thing it was just water because apparently i can't drink and run at the same time, and I splash a couple ounces straight up my nose.
-I made the turn at the half way point and beginning to cramp. Regardless, its time to get ahead of that girl in blue.
-This headband is really absorbent. If the manufacturers every offer me an endorsement deal, I'd gladly accept. Its like wrapping my head with Bounty paper towels.
-I understand its the 4th of July and people live on this street, but the smell of hamburgers on their grills is really distracting. But its probably more distracting to the girl in blue than me. She's done.
- That girl is running with a real short stride and high leg kick, like she popped a Denise Austin aerobics tape in the VCR (sweet green headband though). How am I behind her? Congratulations, you have just become in-race goal #4. Check out the back of my headband high kicker.
- There's those viking guys. They are on the other side of the road, running towards the halfway loop around point. They all have beer cans in their hands! Dammit!!
-Why am I doing this? I could be home eating a ham, egg, and cheese now, and not sweating. And really when will I ever see a bear face to face? I live no where near the zoo.
- Finish line is in sight. Fake a smile for the camera, and use everything else I got. Zig. Zag. Bob. Weave. You can get by most of these people. Look at that guy's gut! Where has he been the whole time? Finish strong! (I did beat the big guy. I'm pretty sure he stopped for a hot dog 50 feet short of the finish line).
And after the race:
-Don't collapse on the grass. Just don't do it.
-That guy puking over there is the reason you don't collapse on the grass afterward.
Hey look at that, I guess I do have a racing tip to offer after all.
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