4/10/04 10K

Bob Green race at Millersylvania State Park. Why run on the beautiful wide trails when we have 50MPH asphalt roads with no shoulder? Jody will run the 5K. Warm and sunny.
Mile 2 - Went out too fast.
Mile 4 - Unable to hold pace. I am floundering. And hot.
Mile 6.2 - Not my best effort but I had a fun time. I should have been able to pace better. At least no one got hit by a car.
49:04
10th place of 37
****

3/7/04 Odd Distance Runs 8 Miles

Bob Green race at Millersylvania. Here is an idea: offer race distances that no one else does. At least you get a PR. Low turn out though, really who wants to race a non standard distance? It is windy and warm.
Start - Small group of runners gather at the start. We are going to start all the races at the same time. 4 miles, 8 miles, 11 miles. I am curious to know who else will be running the 8 mile race. I ask around and it seems like ony one other guy will be doing the 8 miles. I hope he is slow.
Mile 1 - 6:40, ouch that is way too fast. I will pay for it later.
Mile 3 - A couple of guys are ahead of me now, but I think they are doing the longer race. Others who were ahead of me turned around for the shorter race. The guy who is also doing my distance is right behind me.
Mile 3.8 - Yes I see the turn around and the guys ahead of me are in fact going longer. I am in first place!! But I know I will slow and this guy is right on my heels and sounding very comfortable. There is no way that I am going to beat him.
Mile 3.99 - Right behind me I hear "I think I'll do the 11 mile race". I hit the turn around and my competitor keeps right on going thanks to his last minute descision to change races. Not a problem, Bob Green won't mind. Wait a sec, I am in first place!!
Mile 4.1 - Nobody behind me, maybe a couple of other 11 milers still coming at me, but they do not turn around at mile 4, so I am all alone.
Mile 5 - I knew it would get tough here. Without any competition there is little incentive to push it. I wish there was someone back there, but not too close. I am slowing and enjoying the fact that I can say I won the race.
Mile 8 - Cruise on in to my second ever victory. Receive an overall winner trophy. Thank the guy who decided to run longer. Who does that? Start a race at one distance and then opt to go longer.
1:05:04 "PR"
1st place of 1 finisher
****

2/21/04 Resolution Run 15K

Drove up with Raymond for this one, such nice company. See Bree before the start. I tell them that I will absolutely run a PR today. Then I tell the truth, that I have never raced 15K before. Cloudy and cool.
Mile 1 - Nice easy 8:30 and now I am ready to go a little faster
Mile 4 - There is Bree on her way back. She encourages me. Its cool to know someone who is that fast.
Mile 8 - Struggling to keep pace, floundering a bit, but done good on the hills
Finish - Round the track and very pleased to get in under 1:15
1:14:15 (7:59 per mile pace)
65th place of 160
****

2/14/04 Friendship Run 5K

First time race in west Olympia, to benefit a pre-school. Tammy's first race!! Jody running the 5K and Caleb running the one mile race. Cool.
Start - Can we get started please? It is really cold outside. Organizers are doing what they can but it is obviously a first time event. Nice little crowd and we are patient. Eventually we are sent off.
Mile 1 - I like the course. We are on a nice paved trail with some curves. Cut the corners as best I can
Mile 2 - Heading back now on a road parallel to the trail. Flattish nice course, but I am not going as fast as I would like.
Mile 3.1 - Turn the corner and sprint of a little hill to the finish. Not my best time, but it was fun. Cheer on Tammy, then Jody. Caleb won the one mile race. Wait aroung forever for results and raffles. Good post race food. Tammy has a smooth stride and has the makings of a good runner, so fun to have her join us.
23:14
12th of 53 3rd place in age group (won a water bottle)
****

1/31/04 Resolution Run 10K

January will end with 58.5 miles run. That is really low, but I will have increased in each of the last 4 months. So I have a few more miles in the bank and I am feeling more like a runner. Back to Steilacoom for the 10K race.
Start - Wait until the last possible moment inside the school with most of the runners. It is cold rain today. Finally move outside with the masses just in time for the start.
Finish - Very pleased with run. Had a fun time and I am getting faster again. I would like to never lose that much fitness again, it does take time to get it back
48:54
68 of 195
****

1/1/04 Steilacoom Resolution Run 5 miler

It has been four years since my last January 1st race. Most of the world is still tucked in bed after a late night of celebration. I will be happy with anything under 40 minutes today.
Start - It is really cold out. Race director warns us that there are icy spots on the road and to be careful.
Mile 1.8 - Icy spot. Have to really slow and gingerly walk across it.
Mile 4 - Running well and steady
Mile 5 - Made my goal time and happy for that. Just good to ring in the new year with a run.
39:13
77th place of 146
***

11/1/03 Run Them Out of Government 5K

New race for Olympia (Washington state capital) and I am not sure what to make of it. It is near election day and the title of the race "Run Them Out of Government" is funny. But as we register we are told to write down our least favorite politician and they will tally the votes and announce who we most want to boot from office. I just want to race, I am not here to make a political statement. Jody is with me. This is my third race in three weeks and I love racing again even though I feel slow. It is bitter cold out.
Start - Out and back course. We get a nice downhill to start
Mile 1.5 - Flat area around the lake
Mile 2.5 - Uh oh. We have to run back up this sucker. Steep hill up to the Capitol steps. Try tp hold on and struggle to the end.
Mile 3.1 - A little dissapointed by finishing 8 seconds slower than last week. But it is colder and that hill at the end was a killer. I head back down the hill to encourage others, especially Jody.
23:38
32nd place of 115
****