1/27/01 Millersylvania 5K

My first trip to Millersylvania State Park. Bob Greene puts on foot races of many different distances at various times throughout the year here. I like the setting, but the runs leave the park and are run mostly on open country roads with 50MPH speed limits and little shoulder in some places. One of my students, Mike Miller, is here. And I see a friend from chucrh, Isaac. I manage to hold a 7 minute mile and finish where I expected to, nothing real special about today. Perhaps I will race here again.
21:44 1st in age group medal
5th of 20 runners
***

10/28/00 Ghostmuster 5K

Small race in the scary town of Tenino. I just raced a week ago, but I don't see a problem with running hard again so soon. Some people are in costume. Lots of kids dressed up and a one mile fun run too. Gusty winds.
Start - Starting in the school parking lot. Nice to have a warm dry area for the post race awards.
Mile 1 - Good flat course. I like this race
Mile 2.2 - Should be almost over. I am close to the finish line, working hard. But wait. We are directed away now, running on the road around the big field. It is depressing to have so much farther to go.
Finish - Finally back to the school. I should have held my pace better. 55 seconds faster than last week, due to the flatter course I guess. This was really fun and I will plan to come back next year.
21:40
21st place of 90
***

10/21/00 Roman Meal Glove Run 5K

Third year at the glove run. Most of the fast guys run the 10K so I have a chance at a ribbon in the 5K. Pick up my loaf of bread, hot cereal, pin and gloves. Weather is cold and clear.

Tough one. Hard to move fast. Never felt great. I think that big hill at the start just sucked the life out of me. Disappointing to be so much slower than last year. Still, better than sleeping in.

22:35
43rd of 120
**

9/16/00 South Sound 5K

New little race around downtown Olympia. A little rushed out of the house and skipped breakfast. Warm and humid.

Not happy with time or effort. Everything becomes great at the post race ceremony as I win a raffle. Free pair of shoes from South Sound Running!! That sure makes my run worthwhile.

21:49
42nd of 92 3rd in age group mug
**

7/15/00 Lakefair 10K

Set a PR here last year. This is a bigger one of the local races. I enjoy running around the lake and the capitol area. Day after my birthday. Sunny but not to warm this early in the morning.

Had a good strong finish but am not real happy with my time.

45:13
67th of 380
**

7/4/2000 Steilacoom 4 on the 4th

My first 4 mile race. Nice and cheap and tied in with Main Street being closed for the holiday activities. Course is out and back with a large down hill start and seemingly much larger uphill to the finish. Good crowd. Nice no frills but quality event. Great to beat the 7 minute per mile pace.

27:56
86th of 302
**

5/21/00 Capital City Marathon

Put in long months of training for this. The move to Olympia in 1999 shortened my commute and gave me much more time for running. Lots of training runs with James and Raymond. Would like to break 4 hours. Warm and sunny.

Mile 10 - Chugging along with James. Trying to keep the pace around 9/mile but it feels so good and is hard to hold back.

Mile 16 - Losing James, he is slipping back and slowing. It is getting tough but I am hanging in there.

Mile 20 - No walking yet, only at water stations

Mile 22 - Woman passed out on the side of the road. Someone attending to her.

Mile 25.5 - First ever Bob Dolphin sighting. Looked him up after the race because I was impressed with his time for such an "old guy"

Mile 26.2 - done!! A little wobbly. Hands on volunteers shoulders as she cuts my timing chip off. Made it without walking. Took a whole minute off my best time. Wait for James. Wait for James. Finally here is is. We head to the medical tent where he gets an IV. That guy sure does sweat!!

4:08:20
278th of 497
***