Rodeo Run

Yesterday was the Rodeo Run 10k. I haven't run at all since Harlow arrived, so I was a bit concerned about how I'd do. I knew I didn't want to just run it easy, but I also figured that busting out 8:30 miles probably wasn't going to happen. In the end, the crowd was so big and the course so congested that i couldn't have run 8:30s all the way even if I wanted to. Doesn't anyone teach beginning runners to line up somewhat near where their pace sign is? Or instruct them on how it's polite to move to the side of the course before you stop to walk? I have nothing against people who follow the run/walk philosophy (not really sure it's as critical for a 10k as for a marathon, but still, no problem with people using it), but for the love of god, please get out of the way before you stop. Stopping five minutes into a 13,000-person 10k right in the middle of the road is just asking to be run into, so don't blame the people behind you when it happens. When your watch beeps, take an extra few seconds to move to the right, and then slow down. You'll save everyone, yourself included, a lot of hassle.

Anyway, now that my bitching is done, it's time to talk about my race. I didn't want to waste too much energy weaving in and out of the crowd, so my first few miles were pretty slow. Once we hit the first overpass between mile 2 and 3, people started slowing down and spreading out, and that's where I started to pick it up. I held that pace until we hit the overpasses coming back, and at that point, I figured it was time to start moving. I could feel myself getting tired because I hadn't run recently, but I powered on anyway. I kept thinking about Mary, Ange, and Steve pushing through their races this winter, and while I'm nowhere near their caliber, it was enough motivation to keep me moving and not slowing down. In the end, I ran 55:39, not a great time, but the negative splits are enough to give me some satisfaction. Now it's time to get out there in the mornings again and get ready for the Seabrook Lucky Trail Half in two weeks.