7/4/02 Steilcoom 4 on the 4th

My 50th race. Course is back to an even four miles with the post earthquake bridge repair. Windy on the return. Big hill not so bad today. Pleased with finish time.

30:25
124th of 296
***

6/8/02 Sound to Narrows 12K

Big time race for Tacoma with years of history. I have never run a 12K before, but the time seems right. Park at a nearby church for a small donation and head to the big field. Military runners are just finishing. Next they announce the Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital race. Row of little kids with crutches and braces and all sorts of physical issues. Instant tears down my face. So sad, but great to see them moving as best they can. Wow I was not expecting that. OK time to watch the Green Wave go. Fast guys. Now it is my turn. Weather is cool and nice for running.
Start - Huge group in my wave. I start near the front. Hoping to beat one hour. Off we go down the big hill. First mile is all downhill and very fast.
Mile 1.25 - Kachunga. Sudden uphill through the zoo parking lot.
Mile 2-6 - I've driven 5 mile drive before but never ran it. Had no idea it was so hilly. This is one tough course. Big bowl out of the park, laughably steep (ed. note - who would have ever thought that six years later I would run here as mile 14 of a marathon and look at this as just another ho hum hill?) Now up the long hill I came down at the start. Still a huge crowd. I have a chance to break one hour, but maybe not.
Mile 7.44 - Finished!! Really fun time. Find my student Stu, great to see him. I am going to tell people that I completed the race in 59 minutes and 80 seconds.

59:80
751st of 3500
****

5/19/02 Capital City 5 miler

Not a whole lot to say about this race, writing six years post event. Second year doing the five mile race. Someday I will get back to the marathon. Course is more accurate than last year. Got a very nice plaque for second place in my age group.
38:06
47th of 207
***

7/4/01 Steilacoom 4 on the 4th

Had a fun time here last year and was happy to come back. Cheap no frills race with good size crowd. Nice downhill start, then killer uphill finish. My goal is to beat last years time.
Start - Announcement from the race director - "Due to the earthquake in February the bridge at the turn around is still closed. This will be a 3.9 mile race." Darn it. That is not right. Can't they start farther back here? No the street is lined with vendors for the fair. Suddenly this seems like a waste of time. I'll never run another 3.9 mile race, so what is the point of doing this one? Ok lets lose the crappy attitude and get moving, we are racing.
Mile 1.95 - Turn around. I can see the real one on the other side of the bridge, not very far away. O well keep moving and get ready to charge up that hill
Mile 3.9 - Whew, that ending is killer, really takes it out of you. I managed to beat last year's time by 16 seconds. Probably would not have PRed but who knows. Good to get out and run on this great day.

27:40
93rd of 250
**

6/23/01 Swede Days 5K

To the little town of Rochester for this 5K race put on by Thurston County Parks and Recreation. My last four 5Ks have all gotten progressively faster and in the last one I broke the 20 minute mark. I hope I can do even better today. Nice to see Isaac here. Good weather for running. Horrible bathroom in the old Swede Hall.
Start - Good small group of runners.
Mile 1 - Flat course, should be a good time.
Mile 3.1 - Disappointed with time. I expected to be faster. Nice to get a ribbon though. Pain in foot is really bad and frustrating. Takes forever to loosen up and I am hobbling around most mornings.
21:02
21st of 58, first in age group ribbon
***

5/20/01 Capital City 5 miler

Last year I ran the marathon, this year it is the 5 mile race. I have gotten faster but have not done any long runs. Foot has been bothering me (plantar faciitis). Nice to see my neighbor Kim here. Learn that the course is not five miles. It will be short. That is frustrating.
Start - Different start and finish from the marathon. It feels like a really separate event.
Finish - Ran well. Very happy to get a very nice award. But not happy with a time and distance that can not be compared to a true 5 mile race. Would I have set a PR? We will never know.
33:58
31st of 215 2nd in age group plaque
***

4/14/01 Millersylvania 5K

This will be my 8th consecutive 5K and 5th 5K this year. It will be my 4th 5K this year at Millersylvania so I am familiar with the course. I have two of my students meeting me here and they are both faster than me, so it should make for good competition. My foot feels OK after I warm up, but really hurts the morning after a good effort. Weather is nice.
Start - Mike, Dan and two dozen others toe the line at the start. We are off and Mike takes a quick and commanding lead. Amazing for someone who does not train at all.
Mile 1 - 6:30, right on schedule. Dan is ahead of me, but not out of reach.
Mile 1.55 - Turn around. Looks like I am in 8th place. Running strong and steady.
Mile 2.5 - Dan is slowing, or I am getting faster. I may be able to catch him.
Mile 2.9 - Pass Dan. It was so helpful to have him there to compete with, make me run faster.
Mile 3.1 - Yes!! 19:49, smash my PR by almost a minute!! On the same course where I have been running and I know it is not short. One of my greatest moments of running in my life. Talk smack with Dan and Mike (why don't you train and run more?!!) and head home happy.
19:49
7th of 25 runners, 1st in age group award
*****