Yesterday, in Arlington, Texas, I did my 20th footrace since Labor Day and my 146th overall. When I rose, at 6:50, the sky was dark and threatening. I would have sworn that we'd have rain. By the time I got to River Legacy Park, at 8:05, the threat had passed, and by the time the 5K race started, at 9:00, the sun was out. That's Texas weather for you. You never know what you'll get.
Only 65 people showed up to race, perhaps because the organizer, Jeph, named the event "The Gay (Happy) Race." If you want to depress turnout at an event, put the word "gay" in the title. But hey, I was going to run my race no matter who turned out. I love the course, which is mostly flat and which goes through the woods for about two of the 3.1 miles. Once you get a feel for a course, you can pace yourself better. I know exactly where to surge and where to ease up.
I did the first mile in 6:38, the second in 6:54, and the third in 6:35. The wind was brisk, which slowed my pace during the second mile. I did the final tenth of a mile at a 6:33 pace, which gave me an overall pace of 6:42.01. (Elapsed time = 20:49.05.) A week earlier, in Haltom City, I did a 5K at a 6:42.28 pace. Am I consistent, or what? Afterward, I had a good time talking to my friends. I ate a couple of bagels and sipped juice. It was a clear, cool, glorious morning in the Metroplex. I ended up eighth overall, of 65 finishers, and got first place in my age group. Actually, I was second of four in my age group, since the master's winner is my age.
I'm almost done with footracing for the 2008-2009 season. In March, I get back on the bike. I will continue to run three times a week, but only to stay in shape and to burn off calories.
