10/30/04 Tenino Ghostmuster 5K

Jared with me for the one miler. Billy and Tammy running too. Heavy windswept rain.
Mile 1 - started too fast, I can feel it.
Mile 2- there is Mark Anderson up ahead, I wonder if I can catch him
Mile 3 - I just passed Mark and we are battling it out, back and forth. I pass him at mile 3.1 and then hear him say "oh maybe not" and he surges forward getting in a fraction of a second ahead of me.
Finish - What a great battle. I love having a new arch enemy to fight. Run a faster time when competing hard trying to beat someone. Now dry off and hope to win a raffle
22:16 24th of 117 runners
72nd race
****

10/16/04 Roman Meal Glove Run 5K

Rain and wind. Soggy conditions.
Mile 2 - No mile markers today. No idea what my pace is, but I think I am running steady.
Mile 3.1 - Good finish, fine with my time considering the conditions. Go dry off.
22:57
1st in age group ribbon
22nd of 88
****

10/2/04 Oysterfest 8K

I should not be running today. I have a severe head cold. But I want to do this race, so I make the drive to Shelton and decide to at least warm up a little and register if I feel OK. I just have congestion, no fever, and running helps that so I sign up. The 8K distance bugs me a little. Why not just do a 5 mile race? 8K is something like 4.98 miles, but it is considered a different race distance. It is cold and sunny but should warm up a little as we run.
Mile 2 - I have been holding back, really worried about my strength but I think I will be OK today. Nice loop around a lake
Mile 4.98 - Strong finish on the school track. There were only mile markers at 2 and 4 so it was a little hard to guage pace. Pleased with my time. Very nice artwork on the T-shirt. I win a pair of socks at the raffle and it is funny because I have just taken off my shoes and socks to rest my feet when they call my name. They felt very good about giving a needy runner a pair of socks.
37:04 PR in my second 8K race
27 of 97
****

9/12/04 Bank to Bay 10K

Back to downtown Tacoma for this popular 10K. Weather is fair, should be a nice run.
Start - Somehow I have found myself squeezed in near the middle of the pack. Car should not be parked here. We should be doing chip timing as it is a slow go to get to the start line.
Mile 0.5 - Finally some breathing room....and a nice downhill
Mile 4 - Having trouble getting into higher gear, just not running as fast as I should be able to.
Mile 6.2 - Always fun to cross the finish line. Not my best effort, but it will do.

47:59
187 of 728
***

8/28/04 Rainier Round Up 5K

First time out to Rainier for this Thurston County Parks and Recreation race. Very small turn out, but I have Jody, Tammy and Jared (1 miler) with me. Foggy and very cold for August. It is that damp cold that chills you so, but will be great for running.
Mile 1 - Going out fast, will be interesting to see if I can hold it. Nice flat out and back course.
Mile 2 - Hey I am up near the lead, though I will never catch them. Starting to fall apart.
Mile 3.1 - Nice little race. I will do this one again

22:38 1st in age group ribbon
4th place of 33
****

7/17/04 Lakefair 8K

Around the lake, up the hill to Tumwater and down Capitol Way. Jody, Billy and Tammy along for the fun. I am very confident that I can run faster than last year. It is so good to be getting back into shape. Sunny and a little warm.

Mile 1 - Too fast as usual, but running with a nice pack.
Mile 2 - Struggling up the steep hill, but I have done this many times. Now I hear a clicking sound under my right foot. I must have a pebble stuck in my shoe tread. I try to kick it out but it does not budge. Well I can live with the sound and I'll just keep running.
Mile 4 - Darn rock is still there, except maybe it is not a stone. I can feel a tiny pinprick on my big toe. I have picked up a nail or tack or something and it just won't come loose, but it is not worth stopping for. Having a fun time here.
Mile 4.98 - Good strong finish. I pull the sharpened tip of a screw out of my shoe. Take off my shoe and find a small blood stain on my sock. Really the tiniest of injuries, but Jody says I have to see the doctor about a tetanus shot. Doctor agrees and I go in for the shot. The screw made this race more memorable, but it was also a well run effort and did show my improvement over the last year.
38:02 PR
130 of 400 runners
****

7/4/04 Steilacoom 4 on the 4th

This is becoming a tradition. Surprised to see Wayne Bridges here. His son Seth is quite the runner and Wayne has started running too. Pretty nice weather although it will be warm on the way back. Feeling patriotic today.
Mile 0.5 - 3 minutes and change. Going plenty fast enough. Wayne is about 25 feet in front of me. Amtrak train is coming towards us and blows its horn. View of train, Puget Sound, and tons of runners. Good to be an American
Mile 1 - Wayne is ahead of me but in sight.
Mile 2 - Turn around. Wayne is same distance away
Mile 3 - Now it is getting hard. All of a sudden I see that Wayne is walking!! I cruise past him and head up the hill to the finish.
Mile 4 - Fun time today. Wayne says that he walked a little so that he could look good at the finish. He would superimprove in the next year and has beaten me many times since then.
29:45
70 of 187
***