Total Time = 40m 38s
Overall Rank = 1081/1247
Age Group = F 35-39
Age Group Rank = 61/72
Lap Paces:
1 – 12:26
2 – 12:25
3 – 14:27
.1- 10:49

Pre-race routine:

Got up, got dressed, drove there. Stopped for a latte. :) Coming off bashed foot and weekend plague, happy to be conscious.

Event warmup:

Just under 2 weeks ago, bashed the daylights out of my left foot. Much to my delight, the pain disappeared on Thursday. Just in time for me to be sick for the rest of the weekend.

Got my number, went back to the car to change into my running shoes, put on left shoe and….Owww. Why does that hurt? It shouldn’t hurt. IT WAS FINE THIS MORNING. Gingerly walked over to the warmup area and did a couple test jogs – apparently when I run I don’t push off with my two outer left toes, so all was well. Or I was favoring it and would end up with a twisted knee and a torqued hip, but whatever.

Passed on the group warmup being lead by a very enthusiastic gentleman and couldn’t help but look around and think, “You know, a bloody mary bar would be a perfect addition to this race…”

Had a bit of a sinking feeling at the race start as it was so humid that I was sweating even though we weren’t even moving yet.

Run Comments:

Given the circumstances, I had set my run/walk intervals at 1:30/2:30. Enough walking to deal with the fact that I’ve been out of the saddle for a while and enough running to keep me from being my usual idiot self and pushing too hard and blowing up. Plan your race, race your plan.

1st mile went very well. Stuck to the intervals with no problems, felt great when we hit the mile marker and listened to the voice in my head screaming “RACE YOUR PLAN!” as I went into mile 2.

Mile 2 went just as well, but I could feel myself getting heated up. The temps were coming up, the humidity didn’t seem to be going down and there was no breeze. The water station isn’t until just before the end of the second mile – a little too late for me. Not because I was thirsty – but because I was just too hot. Two cups, two sips and the rest went over my head and down my shirt. Un-sexiest wet t-shirt contest ever. Between this and the snot rockets, if there isn’t a rash of Missed Connections for #483, I am giving up on men in this town once and for all.

3rd mile was where the wheels came off. Overheated AND the sun came out! When the run intervals came around, just concentrated on short strides and quick turnover and thanked the heavens for the walk intervals. Really wished more people had put out sprinklers. Took my time going through the two that were on in that last mile.

Finally hit the turn to go to the finish. Love that turn. Nice and flat and then downhill. Somehow managed to pick up the pace in the last run interval – I think it’s easier when you know you can just fall over at the end.

What would you do differently?:

Not bashed my foot or been sick so I could have gotten some training in over the past 2 weeks. If I could have made the humidity lower, I would have done that, too.

Warm down:

My usual at this race – get bottle of water and dump ice down my shirt.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Coming off being sick, the humidity, and oh, yes, the fact that I am utterly out of shape.

The aerial shots of the “crash scene” are so very telling.  The story they tell is, “Tiger has a nice house.”

He’s already been released from the hospital, so he’s not dead.  The police have said alcohol was not a factor, so no scandal.

I can see where this would mention a 60 second spot in the sports report on the evening news.  Beyond that, there are very few people in the America that have a pressing need to know all this, and to know it every break during the football game.  (Or DURING the football game for that matter.)

Those people with a pressing need to know are his family, and I’m guessing they already are up on all the news.  Other than that, his agent and his sponsors, and I’m quite certain they’ve all been in communication today.

God I hate the 24 hour news cycle.

We need a new GM, a new coach, new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback.  And while we’re at it, the entire offensive line needs a boot up their collective asses.

However, I see no way to attract any talent because, really – who in their right mind would want to work for Daniel Snyder?

Danny boy, it’s time to sell the team to someone else that will be able to bring in real talent both on and off the field.  I realize you bought the team to get back at the kids who wouldn’t play with you in elementary school and the girls that wouldn’t date you in high school – but it’s not working.  Just get some therapy for that and sell the team.

In other football news, Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault.  My first thought should have been, “What the hell is wrong with people?”  Instead it was, “What does this mean for my fantasy football team?”

I have absolutely nothing against the Super Bowl.  It’s fun and a great excuse to eat junk food and drink beer.  (I’ve even whipped up a batch of shrimp dip, even if it’s unlikely I’ll watch much of the game.)

And given the economy being in the tank, it’s a good opportunity to take a few hours and NOT think about jobs, consumer confidence, your 401K tanking, the stock market spiraling down the drain, among other things.

But, I don’t understand quite how it rates the level of media hype that is generated.  The media has been in Tampa for a week now.  A five hour pre-game show?  (With an interview with the President to boot.  Just let him have his Super Bowl party already – the guests are probably hogging the good food while he’s stuck in the interview.)

If you’re planning on watching the Super Bowl, you know when it is.  You know who is playing.  You know which channel it’s on.

No need to hype it for a week, folks will still be watching.

This was in no small part due to one of the bartenders being a HUGE Phillies fan, and a seriously happy fan to boot.

When you see someone who is just SO FREAKIN’ HAPPY that his team won – no trash talking or any of that crap, just HAPPY – you can’t help but be happy along with them.

I need a horseracing icon.

Please stop trying it – it doesn’t work.  And the dog doesn’t understand why I am yelling at the TV.

We’re going to the playoffs!!!

Regardless,

GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The commentators just said something about one competitor “making a big error” – I watched and all I think is, “Hey, you don’t faceplant, you’re doing pretty good.” (One guy did faceplant off a jump today – that one I was able to immediately identify as a problem even before the commentators.)