Spring Forward 15K
Posted by john on April 7, 2008 in Running
Sunday past was this years Spring Forward 15K, sponsored in part by Yellow Jacket Racing. I know it was Yellow Jacket Racing and not Fleet Feet because I made out both check(s) to Fleet Feet and I actually had to stop by the shop to change one of the checks. The other check was discarded (because I sent them two checks for some reason, along with two applications, neither of which were filled out correctly).
Mark came into town on Saturday, right around dinner time. After a quick tour of my crib, we were off to the Quick-E-Mart to get some propane for cooking. We fired up the grill (after having to exchange the new propane tank with another one because the first one was broken), and I put the salmon on. The salmon was marinated in about an hour in a brown sugar and fresh ground pepper dry rub (however, the sugar turns into a glaze after a while). When I cook salmon this way, it is cooked using indirect heat; I turn on one side of the grill and put the salmon on the other side and close the lid. Using cedar planks adds to the taste, but gets expensive because they are really only good once or twice. We also had pasta and some homemade tomato sauce that Mark brought.
After dinner, we hung out and had an early night, to prepare for the early morning. For the first time since I moved into the house, we just sat in the living room, each with our computers. It is sort of weird that it was the first time that I really entertained company in that room, since I have been here for over a year, but I still sometimes have the “apartment mentality” where I just do my own thing in my room (for instance, I am in my bedroom as I write this). Mark got to sleep on a couch that slept at least three generations of Ghidiu’s, and I retired to my bedroom.
Up Sunday morning about 6:45, and out the door just over an hour later. At the venue, we met Greg, Mary, Cassie, Bates, Corey and Marie. What a crowd! The weather was nearly perfect for a race! Mark and I still had to get our chips, but after that we stood in the sun for a bit (it was cold in the shade this early in the morning!) before lining up.
At 8:33 AM, the race started. I ran with Mark, Greg and Bates for a short while before they all took off. My legs were pretty strong since I had not run the previous week. I struggled slightly with the bigger hills later on, but the first 5K went extremely well for me. I suspect that I might break 24 minutes this year on my 5K time.
I ran nearly neck and neck with some girl who had a SAG (support and gear) bicycle following her. Every so often, she would stop and the man on the bike would get her a water bottle. She would drink, rest a bit, and be on her way. She ended up finishing in front of me by a minute or so, but I was really beat by the end of the race - this was my longest run since Philly in November of 2007.
At the finish, I saw Greg and Mark, followed by the girls. Of course, I finished shirtless (so I could be in the cool-shirtless-club that Greg founded), and hung out with the guys for a minute before we saw Bates. After Bates, Corey came in just another minute or two - but I missed him because I was getting more water.
We stayed for the award ceremony. Not because any one of us got awards, but probably because it was the first real nice morning we have had with respect to the weather in quite some time. I probably had a bit too much sun because my face is still a bit red, but it felt so good. After the awards, Mark, Greg, Mary, Cassie, Bates and myself went to my place for a cook out. Mark was nice enough to bring fresh Italian sausage in addition to the tomato sauce from the previous night. Between the sausage, hot dogs and hamburgers, we had plenty of food for a BBQ! Conveniently, my neighbors were out and joined in the festivities. Bates worked the grill (apparently the military trains people to cook a mean BBQ, as well as all the other things they do), we all talked and the neighbors happened to have two cheesecakes (freshly made) for dessert. I think it all worked out well. As Col. John Hannibal Smith would say, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
I think the weekend was a great way to start the “nice weather” race series. Great company, great weather, great times by all (I forgot to mention that I ran a PR of 1:17:53) and just a great time all around.
Next weekend is a 5K at Hobart and William Smith, so not only do I get to run, but I get to stop at the Outlet Mall and see my parents, too!
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