Races #16-20 COUNTDOWN

Races #16-20 COUNTDOWN

25 DAYS AND COUNTING...COUNTING DOWN!
This began with an idea of posting a running related story/memory/experience, 1 each day for 25 days, the 25 days leading up to the finish date of the Leadville 100 Trail Run (August 18th, 2019) ...good intentions, so limited time to research and post...but I'm trying, really.

The time spent training for #Leadman, the logistics while still trying to work and maintain relationships...has been hard. 

So, with that being said, I have posted countdown posts from #16-20 in this entry. #16 should have been posted on Saturday August 3rd, so now I'm only 3 days behind, and I'll do my best to be up-to-date before I leave for CO on Thursday...

RACE #16: You know, I could talk all day about 'pacing'... 

I have paced at so many races over the years, it really is hard to find that 'one' memory that stands out. Monster Dash, Chicago Marathon, Get Lucky, Fargo, Red White and Boom...the list goes on and on. When I was fit, I preferred to pace 1:30 or 1:35 for a half...or 3:30 for the marathon distance. 

Clif Bar Pacing, Team Ortho...made no difference...I just really enjoyed helping others hit a goal...and maybe someday I'll get back to it, but it will obviously be at a much more 'relaxed' pace.

I think back to 2002, running/racing for Gear Running Store out of Edina, MN. Their race team at the time rocked...so many fast runners. Jackson, 2:16 at Grandma's; Jason, 2:12 at the Olympic Trials; Kurt, maybe a 2:19 guy...and the gal's team was even better...a bunch of studs...and me.

Living in Woodbury, MN at the time, I'd drive over every Saturday morning for long runs around the Lakes...kept me fit, and you know how much I dislike long runs...always have. 

That Spring, there was a group of said women who were looking to run sub 3:00 at Grandma's, and I wasn't ready to pound, so I offered my pacing 'services'.

I honestly don't remember how many/or who ran in the 'group', though I remember about 7 women, including Joelle, Sonya and Laurie.

Why such a memory for me? ...race went off without a hitch...solid weather, GREAT company, I felt amazing...and we hit 6:45-6:50 miles over and over...and it was easy...just rolling.  

Finished in 2:58:54, and while I haven't seen most of those women in years, it was a great day... 

I ended up not racing much in 2002 (14 times)...just battling 'life'. I ended up running Grandma's 4, 5, 6 more times, maybe...a couple of those races make this countdown...later :)

#17: The Boston Marathon had to make this list, though honestly, I never really put it on a pedestal like most people do. The standards were always pretty easy to hit, and the race/weekend is/was SO expensive. I have run Boston more than a few times, and I guess my biggest running 'regret' is that I never 'raced' Boston back in the day...

#18: Rock and Roll Race Series...San Antonio, Vegas, Chicago Half, Mardi Gras, St. Louis, Arizona...so many races run as part of the RNR Series...most have been rock solid, whether I was racing, running or pacing.

#19: Battalion Army Party...1982. So, quick story, in the Army 1981-1983...I'm stationed in Ft. Riley, KS for a spell until I head off to Germany. Company, maybe even Battalion wide party, held in this big park right in the middle of base. 

Part of the party 'activities' included a 4 x 'around the park' relay...the park was just over a half mile around...and I was just coming off a 9:38 2 mile PT test, so I was ready to run. Captain had me anchor, and by the time I got the baton, 50+ meters behind...bring it on. 

Had a GREAT run, felt amazing, and I caught and passed the top 2 teams down the final straightaway to the delight of my Company...it was CRAZY loud, with hundreds of soldiers cheering us on down the final stretch. 

After the race, I was 'mini' celebrity for an afternoon or 2...all I needed, more people stroking my ego, as if my head wasn't big enough already!

#20: One of my most recent memories, this from this past Spring.

Lisa and I had been registered for the Hot Dash 10 Miler for no more than a few days...out for a quick training run the Tuesday before the race...easy run, and not more than 1/4 mile in, I had a little 'spell', a dizzy episode where I had some spots in my eyes and such...that old story. ...ended up finishing the 5 mile run, but when I got home, my left hand was FROZEN...even after a warm shower, ice cold. Great, now what? ...head over to the ER, again, being somewhat cavalier about the experience. ...apparently my INR level had dropped and a clot that had more than likely formed in my heart, broke free and got stuck in my arm...so they shove me in an ambulance, with a drip, and off I go, again, to the Heart Hospital. I was thinking it was going to be a quick visit, but they needed to watch my levels while on a drip, otherwise if things didn't get better, surgery, again.

Well, all better by late Thursday (...or was it Friday?) and they send me home...HUGE bullet dodged, again.

So, do I run the Hot Dash on Saturday morning? ...you bet your ass I do...and what a race! I felt good for most of it, running around 9:30 pace with Lisa, but what an emotional run. Running along the river in Minneapolis, a beautiful day, in a gorgeous city, with a beautiful woman next to me and running into numerous friends before/during and after the race...

2 days earlier I was in the hospital, dodging another bullet...on this day, beauty everywhere I looked...