Well, another five-miler down, and another good day listed in this runner’s frayed logbook.
Today’s weather was just beautiful. Lower than normal temperatures in the 60s/70s, low humidity, clear sunshine, blues skies. Unlike last week’s 5-miler, the course went around CP counter-clockwise, with a nice finish near the northern transverse. The baggage check area was huge, which was so much better than the cramped quarters we’re used to.
So after getting as close to the starting line without being a jerk about being too far up, the horn went off, and the madness commenced. The first mile was a nice 6:15, a bit too fast a pace since a few annoying hills lurked ahead. So backing off slightly, the next few miles felt better, and there was enough energy left to attack Cat Hill. In the end, it sure felt fast, and it was indeed a challenge, but the clock at the finish told the tale: 32:12.
Dang! That sounded close to a five year-old PR, and it almost was, by two seconds. Perhaps it was a disappointment not beating that, but that wasn’t on today’s agenda, anyway. And it was 45 seconds faster than last Sunday’s 5-mile race. Smokin’ bitches again…
In the end: 95th out of 2667 finishers, 8th in my age group, which is nice since placing in my age group’s top ten rarely happens.
So kids, hold onto those dreams, they can come true, even when you just show up.
P.S. The race organizers hired a local ‘professional’ cheerleading team with pom-poms flying, to cheer everybody on, including the winners at the awards ceremony. You can imagine that they would make Richard Simmons look like Bruce Willis, and I have to say somebody somewhere has a very sly sense of humor, because it was the gayest thing you could’ve had in the race.
5 comments:
They didn't use Cheer NY, the gay cheerleading squad that won't accept me into their ranks because of my lack of cheer experience? It's like high school all over again, except instead of being rejected for not being a cute straight girl I am now being rejected by lesbians for not being a lesbian who was accepted by cute straight girls. Life all comes full circle. I just have to trust I could beat them all in a foot race.
That being said, you were smoking out there! The conditions were pretty good too, cool and breezy in the AM. Congratulations on the top 10 finish -- pretty cool indeed.
Congrats on the finish...I now have something to aspire to.
Nice pic of the cheerleaders, and the one guy scratching his ass...
I almost ran this race, too, but went for H&P today. Your time is a super!!!!!! And 45 sec better than last week? that's huge for central park.
Hmm, I wonder why they didn't use Cheer NY, maybe it was the name, it would be unbearable to be part of a group of people named, well... Cheer NY. Anyway, 'pep' is great in high school, but when you're older it just seems pathetic.
And AR, I only noticed the 'ass-scratch fever' after I posted that photo, and I'm proud you noticed that fine cinematic moment, too.
Well, thanks for the kind words, everybody. Glad the races are over for a couple of weeks!
Are you all seriously making fun of a cheerleading team that was volunteering their time to support the Front Runners race?
That's just...sad.
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