2008 Ted Corbitt 15K
by Robert James Reese » Sunday, December 21st, 2008 » 3 Comments
This race report is a little late and it's going to be a little short. It's tough to find time for writing when you have an apartment full of family in town for the holidays. Still, I feel the race deserves at least a few words written about it...
My kid sister and I woke up early, bundled up and headed over to Central Park. As we were headed up to the baggage check, we heard the bad news: Due to the snowy and icy conditions, today's run has been designated a fun run. They took our timing chips and told us that the race wouldn't really count. That completely changed everything. Thinking about it now, it shouldn't have had such an impact on me or how I was going to run, but learning that it wasn't going to be officially timed and scored simply took the wind out of my sails.
I relaxed so much that my first mile was over seven minutes. In the second mile, I picked up the pace just a bit and settled in around 6:50's. Crossing the seven mile marker, I realized there was still plenty of juice in the tank and was actually able to make a move in the last couple miles. I passed a bunch of people and sailed into the finish at 1:02:38, an overall 6:43 pace. Maybe that's the approach I should take into all these longer runs – a fun run mentality. It actually led me to a pretty decent time.
But, of course, that time doesn't really count. Why does it matter so much whether it's official or not? I know how fast I ran. And, for that matter, you know how fast I ran too because I just told you. Yet, somehow, I feel like I was cheated out of something... Rather than dwelling on that, though, I'll get back to the story:
After the race, I grabbed my bagel and waited around for my sister. It was her first road race ever and she did a phenomenal job, finishing the 15K in 1:25:57. Still, that was 23 minutes after I finished – 23 very, very cold minutes. Standing around in wet race gear is not a lot of fun in twenty degree weather. I've never been so happy to see anyone cross the finish line as I was then. We jogged back to the 6 and got back to a warm breakfast as quick as we could.
All in all, it was a great race, a perfect way to end the year. No more racing for me until the end of January. Enjoy your holidays everyone!
My kid sister and I woke up early, bundled up and headed over to Central Park. As we were headed up to the baggage check, we heard the bad news: Due to the snowy and icy conditions, today's run has been designated a fun run. They took our timing chips and told us that the race wouldn't really count. That completely changed everything. Thinking about it now, it shouldn't have had such an impact on me or how I was going to run, but learning that it wasn't going to be officially timed and scored simply took the wind out of my sails.
I relaxed so much that my first mile was over seven minutes. In the second mile, I picked up the pace just a bit and settled in around 6:50's. Crossing the seven mile marker, I realized there was still plenty of juice in the tank and was actually able to make a move in the last couple miles. I passed a bunch of people and sailed into the finish at 1:02:38, an overall 6:43 pace. Maybe that's the approach I should take into all these longer runs – a fun run mentality. It actually led me to a pretty decent time.
But, of course, that time doesn't really count. Why does it matter so much whether it's official or not? I know how fast I ran. And, for that matter, you know how fast I ran too because I just told you. Yet, somehow, I feel like I was cheated out of something... Rather than dwelling on that, though, I'll get back to the story:
After the race, I grabbed my bagel and waited around for my sister. It was her first road race ever and she did a phenomenal job, finishing the 15K in 1:25:57. Still, that was 23 minutes after I finished – 23 very, very cold minutes. Standing around in wet race gear is not a lot of fun in twenty degree weather. I've never been so happy to see anyone cross the finish line as I was then. We jogged back to the 6 and got back to a warm breakfast as quick as we could.
All in all, it was a great race, a perfect way to end the year. No more racing for me until the end of January. Enjoy your holidays everyone!
3 Comments
BTW, I have a one-day contest going on today! So jump over and try to win a nice new pair of shoes!
Have a great christmas with your family!!!
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