ANNIVERSARY Post

An anniversary post from 1 year ago...has it been a year already? 
I'd like to think that life has changed a lot in the past year, because it has, but in some ways, it really hasn't.
My numbers haven't changed much since this post, but I'm doing a MUCH better job of coping. My VO2 Max was 46 a year ago...now it's sitting at 41, though I'm in much better shape...see where I'm going here?
It was/is a good read...I hope you enjoy!

(Tuesday evening...)
I know, I know, quit your bitching...I'm really trying to keep the blog updated, but life has plans for me most days, and frankly, the heart news is more of the same...ugh. I look forward to the day when I can talk about GREAT/NEW news...but alas, not today. 

Not sure if I posted about the heart biopsy that I went through last month...oh joy. The test for cardiac sarcoidosis came back NEGATIVE, which is grand news, though beyond that, just seems like I'm treading water, deteriorating just a tad every week. 
Test was simple in that a catheter was run up from my groin into my heart...from there they snipped a tiny sample of my heart, that's all. I was a mess for a day or 2 after that test...

So, how am I feeling? A solid C+ on most days, though I had a really hard day last Wednesday as I was really out/short of breath all day, to the point of it scaring me. 
Sitting in a movie (Mission Impossible - Fallout, thumbs up!) and at one point my breath was gone, almost to the point of gasping for air...WTF was that? By the next day I was a tad better, and by Friday...all good. I brought this up to doc, who was NOT impressed...soooo, next Monday I will be repeating the Right Heart Catheter test, looking for numbers, though as much I'd like to think that they're looking for improved numbers, I think it's more to see how much I have 'slipped' in 8+ weeks...a prep for the LVAD. Bring that shit on!
(LVAD... Left Ventricular Assist Device)

Speaking with the nurse about my appointment scheduled for Monday, she mentioned I was going to learn all about the LVAD, when/where/why. 
I did my own research (?) on the LVAD, and it's not as simple as I thought it was, it's actually open-heart surgery!  
An LVAD is a surgically implanted mechanical pump that is attached to the heart. An LVAD is different from an artificial heart...an artificial heart replaces the failing heart completely whereas an LVAD works with the heart to help it pump more blood with less work.  It does this by continuously taking blood from the left ventricle and moving it to the aorta, which then delivers oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. (Stole that last paragraph off Google...I obviously don't write THAT well!)

...oh joy. 
So, is this the next step? ...a Bridge to Transplant as it's called, or am I still months away? I guess I'll find out more at my Monday appointment...make sure to pack an overnight bag, she says...wait, what? Again, WTF!

I guess the bigger question should be, how should I be feeling? I suppose that I should assume that now that they want to chat about LVAD and transplant, that I should just wrap my mind around that...embrace the suck. But, should I be sad? Mad? ...should I be crying? I honestly don't know...in a way I feel numb...getting through life day by day, knowing what's down the road. I'm not mad, sad, crabby...just, blah. When you think about it, I should want this done sooner than later...if it's going to happen, bring that shit on NOW...recover and LIVE life!
Surviving/running/racing with an ejection fraction of less than 20% for who knows how long...just imagine the energy/power I'd have with an ejection fraction of 60+ percent...I may be able to get back my KOM (Strava King of the Mountain) crown from Game Farm Road. 
Look out, Jordan Roby...you and I...GFRoad...you may want to taper! :)
...quick back-story. I used to ride a lot out of Gear West in Long Lake, MN...Wednesday night group rides, 25 or 40 mile options. I would usually ride the 40 mile loop, because I could. There is a 3+ mile segment called Game Farm Road later in the ride, and a couple of years ago we got to the start of this section and Jordan, John W. and I just took off, 27+ mph for most of it, taking turns leading. Well, every time it was MY turn to pull, I couldn't...I'd sit back, working as hard as I could, just hanging on, letting Jordan and John do most (all) of the work. As we approached the finish, they were both peetering out, and I threw in a little push and crossed the line first, becoming KOM on the segment via Strava...averaging just shy of 25 mph. That KOM is long gone, BUT, maybe someday I'll be back and ready to toe that line once again...maybe next time I can take my turn pulling when it's time!

Break time...

(Wednesday morning...)
...another quick call from my nurse...more meds, this time to help with the quick weight gain, 8.6 pounds in 2 days? 2 words for you, CHU BBY.

I can tell I am becoming numb to all the procedures, as 2 months ago when I was scheduled for my first Right Heart Catheter test, it was a big deal...now, it's just another procedure, another surgery...again, bring that shit on...I'm Derek Lindstrom, and I can do anything!

Thoughts and prayers, please, as I begin this 'new' chapter, LVAD and transplant discussions...ugh. 

Race #14-15 COUNTDOWN

Race #14-15 COUNTDOWN
Less than a week away from the final 3 races of #Leadman. 
...am I ready? I suppose I'm as ready as I'll ever be. 
Had a phone interview with a nice lady today, looking to do a story about my 'journey', and one of the questions she asked really hit me...and I didn't know how to answer.
'When you're done with the series, and your running/racing is done, how are you going to feel?' ...great question. I assume I'm gonna be a puddle at the awards ceremony, maybe emotional for a couple days after, but honestly, I don't know. 
Is there going to be a 'depression' period? ...I think I'm pretty well set, knowing that this is it, and it's my path/journey, and also knowing that I am ending my racing 'career' on my terms. ...doesn't mean it's going to be easy, as training/racing has been such a big part of my life for SO long...am I ready to move on? I think so...?

Race #14: 1995 Columbus Marathon
The story begins early fall, 1995, I get a hair up my ass about wanting to run the 1996 Boston Marathon, 100th anniversary race. Well, looks like I need to qualify...but where? When? Columbus Marathon? ...honestly, looking back, I'm not sure why I picked Columbus. In 1995, there were plenty of late October marathons, all within driving range of Mankato, MN, my home at the time.
In rock solid shape in 1995, winning a number of races in MN and WI..high 15 5K shape, and training hard with Scotty, so getting ready should be fine.
Either way, Columbus it is, but work will only give me Saturday/Sunday off, having to work late on Friday and early on Monday, driving to OH on Saturday. 
...again, don't remember much about the race course, only that it was beyond cold, running in a winter hat and gloves.

I DO, however, remember how well organized the race was, and even though it was beyond chilly, great crowd support.
I think a lot of people were in town to watch the Buckeyes play, and that Saturday saw Eddie George run for an NCAA record of like 700 yards (exaggerated...).
Fell apart during the final few miles of the race, again, and finished, for the first time in a long time, OVER 3 hours, finishing 3:05:10.

I guess what I remember best about this race...after I finished, is that I grabbed a snack, walked to car...and drove home. No shower, no cool-down jog...just a quick BQ...and a quick ride home (10+ hours...). ...and yes, I was early for work the next morning.
** Signed up for Boston, but during a training run over the winter, fell on some ice and broke my elbow...so I ended up selling my bib (cool at the time...) and not running, though I'm in the results running 4:28 and change... :)

#15: Twin Cities Marathon
...not so much a 'memory', just a nice race that's in my backyard. I've run TCM numerous times, never running well there, though I've never really 'raced' TCM either...though qualified for Boston a time or 3 here. ...now I prefer to go and cheer on athletes on the course.

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...

Races #21 & 22 COUNTDOWN

25 DAYS AND COUNTING...COUNTING DOWN!
RACE #21

Hard to imagine that in less than 3 weeks my racing days will come to an end. ...still trying to embrace the suck, the feelings of the ending of my journey, though honestly, I'm ready... Can I do this? #Leadman...in heart failure? Damn, gonna give it my all...dig through those dark times in my final 3 races...maybe roll the dice, see what happens!
(Dark times...keep reading as I addressed dark-times on day/memory #22...)

I had great conversations with two really good friends today. Mike...hell, I've known and run against/with Mike for the better part of the past 40 years...Mike is also doing #Leadman this year (Currently in 10th place OA...) ...and Gabe, also running the Leadville 100 trail Run on August 17th/18th with Mike and I... IF I can somehow finish both the Leadville 100 MTB and the 100 trail run, my last awards ceremony as an athlete will be at noon on Sunday August 18th with 2 of my best friends...ALL wearing our finisher belt buckles...THAT'S how I want to finish this crazy running 'career'! Bring on the suck!

So let's talk about running/racing memory #21... I'm going to preface this 'story' by saying, I've met some amazing people/friends and have forged so many life-long relationships because of running/racing...and one of my best is with Dale Bahr.
When I moved to Mankato in the summer of 1993 to run for MSU, one of the first athletes I met was Dale...we clicked right away. We ended up running a LOT of miles together, and spent too many nights at the Albatross (Sorry coach...). Dale was coming off a knee injury, but the cat was a beast...DII National Champion in the indoor 800...amazing athlete...and boy could he drink, damn! ...may have gotten in trouble a time or 3 with D, but that's a story (...long story...) for another day.
So many memories with Dale...road-tripping to the UP for the Big Bay Relay (BIG win...); or our still-standing Med-City Marathon Relay course record (...run with 2 others...) ...or the time we were out running on a hot day...Dale needing to stop and poop on the side of the trail, only to wipe his a** with poison oak...he was a red/swollen mess for weeks!
But for this story, #21 on my memory list, the 1997 Trail Mix 25K, held at Hyland Park/Bloomington, MN. 
I have run TM 4-5 times...anywhere from 1:39 to 1:49...loved the race, the course...sweet shirts as well!
Dale and I, now out of college and living in Mankato, still running well, decided to test the waters at TM as we prepped for the Big Bay Relay.
Two 7.75 mile loops...rolling/soft trails. ...and Dale and I take it out hard, building a solid 1:30+ lead after the first loop. 'D, I gotta crap...'. ...seriously, Dale? Now?
Yep...off Dale heads to the restroom, conveniently located at the 1/2 way point...1 minute, 2 minutes, and as I'm watching the clock, I'm watching our 1st place turn into 3rd, 5th...and by the time Dale is 'done' and ready to run, we're in 7th place...ugh, well, let's start picking 'em off. One...there's another...2 more...and we can see the leader now, Dave Anderson, I think he was running for SDSU when we were at MSU...solid runner, but we're gaining, working hard...just not enough room. We ended up tying for 2nd place in 1:44:14...Dave running 1:43:30. 
Didn't get the win that day, and TM is a race I never won, by a 2nd place tie with Dale, I'll take it!
See you at Hairball later this summer, Dale!

...Dale and I kneeling up front. Picture is from the 1997 Big Bay Relay.

Running playlist song #21: F.O.D. - Green Day

___________________________________________________

25 DAYS AND COUNTING...COUNTING DOWN!
RACE #22
I have been talking to friends, fellow athletes and coaches lately about the Leadville races coming up next month, and mentioning that if I have ANY chance of finishing the 2 longer races, I'm going to have to be comfortable in a 'dark' place for an extended period of time, maybe miles of 'dark'.
What is your 'dark' place? It's where you go when things get ugly, REALLY ugly.
I have been in that dark-place so many times while competing that while I wouldn't call in 'comfortable', I expect it if I want to compete... Some athletes can't get there, some are afraid to go there...others thrive and do well by going dark/deep. 
One of my former athletes, Jordan Roby, who TODAY quailified for KONA at IM Canada...BEAST...sent me a text after his huge race: 'Thanks coach! Went to a super dark place but got it done. Reminded me of Marquette...' (I added the 3 dots...). Kid is a beast, and he's a beast because he knows what to do in his dark-place... 
Where am I going with this? Wondering if I can still go deep...it's been so long since I've had to put in that type of 'dark' effort, and I'm going to need an effort like that...

Race memory #22 did NOT need that type of effort.
Funny, looking up results for this race...15 years ago, really? Doesn't seem that long ago...seems like just...well, I guess it was a long time ago.
Decided to drive to New Orleans and surprise my mom for Mother's Day in 2002...drove the 19.5 hours on Friday, getting 4 hours of sleep Friday night and scooted off to a local 5K the next morning with my sister, The Gospel and Blues Run, held in downtown New Orleans on May 15th. ...and I was tired, really tired. I wanted to race, but not really...and was quietly hoping that the field was not that competitive so I could just run 18 minutes...just doing enough to win.
Gun goes off and wouldn't you know it, there is some clown who wants to race...f***. Hoping he blew his wad in the first .5 mile and that he was just a poser...mile 1 in about 5:20...nope, what the hell, I had ZERO desire to run this fast. By 1.5 miles I realize that he wants to run...so, being tired and cranky, I start pulling from my bag of tricks. Wide road, we're all alone, I'm running right off his left hip, yet I 'accidentally' bump into the back of his elbow a time or 3, irking him, I'm sure...maybe a splash or 2 from puddles from overnight rain.
Damn, I can't shake this kid...what else can I do? Still running about 5:20-5:25 pace, and still on his left hip, I let out the Scott Steuernagel 'sigh', the 'give-up sigh', giving him the impression that I was done...he made a little move, probably too soon...I just needed to time it right, and I did, winning by a second or 2 with a furious kick. (Furious is relative...) 
I know, I'm a dick, and I do feel bad that I was a dick, but we talked after the race and I told him what I did and why, and he was cool. We went on a cool-down run together...and funny, we found each other on Facebook a few years ago...friends.
Hoping that by being friends with him now, that he crosses me off the 'list', similar to the 'list' Steve Buscemi had in the movie Billy Madison, right before he applies that awful shade of lipstick.

Why did this 5K race make the list? I've run/raced 100's of 5K's, winning more than my share. This race was an experience and part of my journey... Having run so many races/5K's, I honestly don't remember a lot of them, though looking back at this race, it was a win, it was an amazing weekend with family...and it makes a for great story, especially after 3 shots of Goldschlager...

Honorable Mention...tired, not today. 

Running playlist song #22: Sandstorm - Darude

Race #23 COUNTDOWN

25 DAYS AND COUNTING...COUNTING DOWN!
RACE #23
Coming in at #23...
When I sat down to make my 'list' of favorite races/memories/experiences, I found it easy to find races where I ran well...races where I either won, or anchored a team, or ran on a winning team...but how about the tough races? Tough races, that may take more time...maybe when I finally sit down and write my auto-biography, maybe then more of the tough races/crash-and-burn races will appear.
A few weeks ago near the end of and after the Silver Rush 50 MTB, a race that really beat me up, physically AND emotionally, I knew it was one of the hardest races I've ever done. The course beat me up, and for the first time, I felt like I was in heart failure...duh. But where did I place it on my suck-o-meter? Top 3, for sure. Top 10 'tough' races WERE all run at the marathon distance, UNTIL that MTB race... Coming in at #2, and #23 as it pertains to this countdown, is the 2008 Chicago Marathon...a day I do NOT want to have back!

2008 was a 'fine' year of running for me...I had 1:23 and change at a trail half-marathon in Woodville, WI earlier that year...and had one of my best races ever at the Lumberack Days 10 Miler, but that race makes the list down the road.
Chicago, in shape to run sub-2:50 or so, but was lost as to what to do...pace? Race? Sit this one out? ...as it was going to be a scorcher, and we all know how I handle the heat...not.

...quick, phones ringing...who? Jenny Wilcox? Wants me to pace her...3:00? Deal... Jenny was an athlete of mine at the time...rock-solid runner and multi-sport athlete, and if she needs/wants me to pace, hell yea! I have purpose!
I honestly don't remember much about the travels and/or pre-race nutrition, though I KNOW I should have taken it more seriously...ugh.

Jenny and I both had 'preferred' bibs for the race so she was easy to find...but it was already warm, with plans of mid-80's, if I remember correctly.
Mile 1, 6:59, mile 2, 6:58...and so it goes...we hovered right at/under 7:00 pace through at least 16, maybe 17 miles, but holy cow, it was getting warm. I remember at some point past the United Center, mile 17 or so, I stopped to use a 'potty', which is a good sign...'I'll catch up, Jenny' I remember telling her. Quick break, maybe :25 seconds...out I go on a mission to find Jenny...I took off at sub-6:30 pace looking, searching...and I held that pace for at least 1 mile, maybe longer...but then I was done...it left that quick (...and I never did find Jenny...) ...the wheels fell off, hard. 
I don't remember much about the final 10K...it was a lot of walking, sitting on curbs, walking with that 'tilting-left' lean...oh boy was it ugly.
1st half in 1:31 and change, 2nd half in 2:10+...and it was an UG LY second half...wouldn't wish that upon anyone...
Once I crossed the finish line, done...I found a chair/trash can and vomited over and over...and that finish-line/chute area must have been 2 miles long...I'd walk for a bit, then sit and vomit...felt like it took hours!

(Medal is here...somewhere...)

In hind site, I should have given the race the respect that it deserves, I was coming off a number of races that I crushed...maybe my head was too big for my own good? Well, whatever it was, it sucked...#2 on the 'painful' scale.
On the bright side, Jenny rocked...3:03, maybe? #beast

Splits

Split	Time	Diff	min/mile	miles/h
05K	00:21:37	21:37	06:58	8.63
10K	00:42:48	21:11	06:50	8.80
15K	01:05:09	22:21	07:12	8.34
20K	01:26:35	21:26	06:54	8.70
HALF	01:31:21	04:46	07:00	8.58
25K	01:48:43	17:23	07:10	8.38
30K	02:13:11	24:28	07:53	7.62
35K	02:39:15	26:04	08:24	7.15
40K	03:16:42	37:27	12:04	4.98
Finish	03:42:42	26:00	19:04	3.15

So the 2008 Chicago Marathon makes the list at #23, not for how fast I ran, or the crazy dinner/travel plans, more because this race was a true beating...a race that will be forever etched in my brain...a race that put my running/racing on hold for at least 2 years, as I did NOT want to have to dig that deep again.

I did, however, run 4 more marathons in 2009, but I paced them all, (3:15-3:35) as I was not ready to toe the line. (I'm a p****...)

I preach to athletes to NOT put that next BIG race up on a pedestal, because once you do, the race won. But there's a difference between putting the race on a pedestal and respecting the race...I found out the hard way!

HONORABLE MENTION for today...it's just another story.

Racing and memories...so many, but also, SO many amazing workouts...and workout partners!

...like races, a number of workouts really resonate with me...sometimes wondering how I did that.
I think back November of 1992, coming off a 15:36 5K (7th place), I was ready to rumble! 
That Saturday I supposed to race a 5 miler, but I couldn't afford the entry fee, so I headed to the track with my girlfriend for some 'frustration' 400's... 42 degrees, chilly with a light wind...one of those days...I'm ready. Wanted to run 70's solid, 12-14 miles total. 
2 miles easy/stretch and strides...then I proceeded to run 16 x 400 meters, averaging 69.42 for the 16, rotating 200/400 recovery jogs... 'D' stayed and ran the stopwatch and ran some of the recovery laps with me. What a workout...I had done 16, 20, even 24 400's as part of a workout in the past, but never did they feel that easy...and consistent. ...wish I had raced! 

I'll always remember this workout for what it was, I'll also remember this girlfriend, but that's a story for another day, for sure. Now THAT would make a great read...

Running playlist song #23: Who's Your Daddy (Original Extended Play) - Benny Benassi

Race #24 COUNTDOWN

25 DAYS AND COUNTING...COUNTING DOWN!
RACE #24 
Coming in at #24...
Race #24 didn't make the list because of the race time or place, though I did win, but the story that comes with it!  (Stories, I have more than a few...)
Aug. 10th, 2002...in pretty decent shape...training for 'insert race name here'.
I was coming off a solid summer, including being a sub 2:59:59 pacer at Grandma's Marathon only a couple of months earlier...mission accomplished, by the way, but that's another 'story' for a later date
Back to the race in question, the Gopher to Badger 5K, a race course that starts in MN and has you running over the St. Croix River, finishing in beautiful downtown Hudson, WI. 
Because I'm Derek Lindstrom, I ran the course from finish to start to get in my warm-up...strides, and I'm ready to hammer. 
...gun goes off and I take it out hard (?), wanting to get some separation. Mile 1 was run in 5:09...mile 2 in 5:13, with a pedestrian mile 3 (5:19) to finish in 16:11...or did I?
As I approach the band-shell in Hudson...running through the empty chute, glancing over to see the race clock not yet started, I hear someone yell to the RD (race director) that the winner was here. I run all the way through the finish-line, with a solid 'kick'...to emptiness...to nobody. RD runs up to the finish and starts the race clock, though by this time 3 of us have finished. 'What was you time?' he asks me...and I, being a smart-ass (surprised?) answered, 'What did the clock say?' ...I'm so funny :)
I picked up my $5 Running Room gift card for being the OA winner
(Note in the results that we are all separated by 10 seconds, though I had at least 2 full blocks on 2nd place...)
I picked up my $5 Running Room gift card for the BIG win and finished off the morning with a 7 mile cool-down run with the 'crew'... Thumbs up day!
You know, not my fastest race, not the best race 'field', but I will always remember this race for what it was...a great story, a great running memory...a story I love to tell. 

HONORABLE MENTION for today...it's just another story.
As you may or may not know, I like to clown/joke around...this sometimes spills out into my running. A great example...
Back in the day when we wanted to race but not 'compete', we would just bandit the race...it was cool back in the day...but times change, and running as a bandit became frowned upon years ago :( So instead of running as a bandit, I would sign up for races using random/famous names...when I was pacing and/or didn't want posted results...Juma Ikangaa, Tony Bennett...whatever was handy.
The race in question, the fall 2012 (?) St. Therese 5K (Deephaven, MN)...not knowing what kind of shape I was in, I ran over to the church before the race and signed up as Justin Timberlake...yep, I'm a tool.
Small race, maybe 150/200 runners...and I didn't run real fast, maybe 16:45, but I won! ...and after doing so, a 'sister' from the church tracked me down to give me my $50 BP gift card for winning and asked me my name... 'Justin Timberlake', I say with a dumb smirk...she gives me an equally 'dumb' smirk and says, '...are you sure you want to go with that, your name is going on a plague in the church...'.  
Bested by a 'sister' at the church...

Tomorrow, race/memory :23...ready?

Running playlist song #24: A Love Bizarre - Sheila E

Thinking Back...25 Days/25 races

25 DAYS AND COUNTING...COUNTING DOWN!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peak... It's been quite the ride...running and racing pretty consistently over the past 40+ years, but as you know, those days are coming to an end on August 18th of this year, the finish line of the Leadville100 Trail Run, the final race in the #Leadman series. 
As I sit here, readying myself for my final 3 races before I hang up the trainers, I thought it might be fun to look back at my 25 favorite races, though not necessarily the fastest, I guess we could say the 25 most 'memorable'.
I would hate to guess how as to how many races I have raced and/or paced since I started running in August of 1976...has to be close to 600+ races, and maybe someday I'll tackle the counting of races, but for today, we'll just say that 'I've raced a lot'. ...and I LOVE(D) to race...1 mile on the track/roads, marathons, trail ultras, just get me to the starting line healthy, and I'll give it my all. A lot of times giving my all meant a BIG win, other times I would blow-up and wind up finishing 7th...but I learned SO much every time I raced, and while I never got to the 'next level', I could usually get myself in sub 16 minute 5K shape pretty quick, it's the consistency that would always curtail my training/racing. New job, new girlfriend...whatever, but I always had my running, and eventually it was back to racing. Running, I will surely miss you...but I need to focus on the next 'journey' that life has in store for me...
25 days of races, leading up to the finish of the Leadville 100...

So, let's get this party started...drum-roll, please...coming in at #25:
June 8th, 1991, this whole summer/fall for that matter, but of all the racing I did that summer, the Racine Lighthouse 10 Mile Run really stands out. 
I get to the race late, shocking, I know...quick packet pick-up, throw on the flats and BANG, gun goes off, but I'm still a block away at the car! There was no 'chip' time back then, so the clock is running...but I'm in solid shape, let's see how many I can catch. Get to the start line with the clock at :41 seconds, but with so many people, I never had to run alone. 
I don't remember many of my splits, (mile 6 in 5:19) but I do remember how GREAT I felt...legs felt strong and springy, and I really got into a groove early...and with the exception of a little 'struggle' over the final .5 mile, I felt (and ran) rock solid. Strong field, as usual for this race, but I crossed in 55:56 (55:15) to finish 22nd place overall. ...I still wonder how fast I could have run had I gone out with the leaders, but either way, this race will always be a highlight. ...I also remember that we did a 11+ mile cool-down after the race, for some reason, maybe to make up for the warm-up that never happened.

1991 was a good running year for me, with 19 races (winning 7 of them). 
May of that year I was on the winning Big Bay Relay team, a couple of weeks later I won a 5K in Peshtigo,WI; June had me at the Lighthouse Run, and then later that month I won another 5K, this time in Cambridge, WI...nothing fast (16:01), but a win. 
Badger State Games (4 x 800 anchor); 4th place at the Rockford Mile (4:18) in August; Schneider National 2 Mile Champs, big win in 9:39 in September...and in October, the Lodi Library Fund Run (15:54 for 2nd) and the Beloit Classic the following weekend, same time, same place...

SO many races...I hope you check back from time to time over the next 25 days...not only a lot of races, a LOT of stories...with so many friends/relationships made!

Running playlist song #25: The Pretender - Foo Fighters
Tomorrow, #24, is gonna be fun :)