6/27/07 Inna Gadda Da Vida Race

Now for something different. Support the local high school track team by racing on the track and seeing how far you can go in 17:11 while the Iron Butterfly classic Inna Gadda Da Vida is blaring through giant speakers. Wayne and Seth. Mid week evening race, we need more of these. Hot.

Start - Serious runners with counters line up at one corner. The rest of us are allowed to start at any corner so we are not all bunched up but we need to count our own laps. Announcer tells us that we may consider making a surge during the drum solo.

Verse 1 - Had a good warm up and running well. Seth and other fast guy go thundering past me, but I expected that.

Drum solo - It is hot out but I am able to keep the pace at about 6:50/mile. This is really really fun.

Organ fades out - Finish. Stop at the nearest corner. I'm calling it 2.4 miles. Pace was 6:51 and I am pleased with that. I get a certificate of achievement and then win a pair of running shoes at the post race raffle. It does not get much better than that.

2.4 miles
never figured out my place
*****

6/16/07 Swede Days 5K

Glad to be back here after a few years off. Billy tags along and lots of other familiar faces. Lengthy warm up and ready to roll. Just hoping for a sub 7 pace. Sunny and nice.

Start - Pretty good turn out for this Thurston County Parks and Recreation event. New race director, but she seems to have everything running smoothly. Speaking of running smoothly, its time to take off like a shot.

Mile 1 - Nice flat course, running well, 6:40 first mile

Mile 3 - Hang on, hang on, hang on, almost there.

Mile 3.1 - Very close to wretching. So glad I did not vomit. Quick recovery and happy with my time, 6:49 overall pace.

21:13
16th of 100
****