Sunday, November 4, 2007

Happy Birthday To Me

Yes, 39 years ago today I was born to Dan and Helen. Sister Tara was only 14 months older and would later have a second sister Laura born 7 years after me.

So I originally (months ago) wanted to run NYC Marathon on my birthday but after not getting in on the lottery I figured I would still try to run a race. I found The Bridge Run and signed up for it. This was actually my first official 10K. So at the very least I was guaranteed a PR. My last post I said I was hoping for 55. Well 55 would have been me running the race of my life and after posting that I had wished I said 57-58 minutes. Two things worked against me in this race. 1. I ran 8 miles on Saturday because I wanted to get the miles in, and two I do no hill workouts at all and this was going up and down a big bridge twice. But enough with the complaining.

I picked up Bill (a very fast runner in my town) and we drove to the race and were there real early. I was meeting a few other runners from Runners World Forum (one had my race packet). After finding them I walked to the start with them (about a 1/2 mile). We lined up and off we went. We started at the base of the bridge so we had an immediate incline that last about .75 mile. Then down the other side to a quick turn around and back up again. The 2nd incline really slowed me down and took a little out of me. But what ever at the bottom of the bridge we were about half way done and I was at about 30 minutes. So at this point I needed (wanted) water. Turned a corner and there was the water stop, but there was no more water left. So kept on going. I was going OK for the rest of the way, turns out there was another water stop at about mile 5 that had plenty of water. I took some but would have really liked it two miles back. The race finished in a minor league baseball field which was kind of cool. Home of the Camden River Sharks in Campbell's Field. Turning into the field I knew I was close to 1 hour and thought I had a chance of breaking 1 hour but it was not to be. My chip time was 1:00:30 so I have a PR now and will hope to break 1 hour in my next 10K.

Kim was there with the kids and they all had signs. Kim's was the best it said "39 and looking fine"

Rest of the day was busy as we had soccer and Kim's mom had my Birthday Dinner. Caitlyn scored 2 goals for me today. I told her she must have a great coach (yes I am the coach).


11 comments:

Mike said...

soooo close to breaking that hour ... but great time anyway! :) Gives you a PR that I'm sure you'll break next time. Pity they didn't have water for you.

Spandex King said...

Happy Birthday!

Jeff said...

Sounds like a perfect birthday!

Emil Von Runner said...

Awesome time man. Hills are killers and you averaged faster than 10 min miles on a hill workout!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday (a day late)!! Congrats on the great 10K, too! Sounds like a fun day :)

Robert Barker said...

Great job on the Bridge. I am sure you will break the PR on your next 10k.

Pat said...

happy birthday. was that first water stop on Chicago st?

good time anyway. maybe we can both run NYC next year. When do they let you put your name in for the lottery?

Unknown said...

Sounds like hill repeats are in your future.... ;-)
Hope you had a great birthday and GREAT RACE!

Bigun said...

Hey...Happy Belated Birthday, Old Man!

Iron Eric said...

I hope you had a good birthday! You deserved it!!

Pokey said...

Happy late birthday Speedy! :)

Nice run!