I am in training....sort of. I have a huge 10K on Saturday. I've only run two races (5K) so far this summer, not nearly enough to be at all competitive for such a large race. I managed to do hillwork tonight, and it was brutally hot and humid. I was glistening big time after this very hot workout. I passed my husband as I was running down the hill and he was absolutely soaked as he huffed and puffed his way up after running his circuit of seven.
This race, put on by Joan Benoit, is so popular it usually closes in May after just weeks of opening up for registration. If you ran the year before, you get the opportunity to sign up via mail. If not, you have to scramble quickly to get a ticket to the big race. On a particular day they place race forms at the same exact time in various branches of the same sponsored bank all over the state to give everyone the same advantage.
It's not a cheap race. It's $30 per person, but with all the hoopla that goes along with it, it's worth it. A huge amount goes to a charity that was picked at the end of last year. They also give you a goodie bag filled with half way decent items along with a buffet unlike any other race out there and of course the coveted tee shirt.
The chance to rub elbows with the world's best runners is quite exciting. What other sport can you honestly compete against the best in the world running side by side. Ummmmm well I'll be able to see their backsides for maybe 30 seconds if I'm lucky, heh!
The last time I ran it two years ago I stood behind the gate that separated the elite runners from the rest of us....thousands of us. So I was able to watch them warm up and shoot the breeze with the local runners who were also chosen to run with the elite. There's usually less than 100 runners in front of this gate.
My son David was chosen to run elite status then, last year and again this year. This means that David not only gets to run for free but he gets special treatment along with the world's best. He receives a race number under 100 . This ensures his being pulled easily from the crowd when he finishes. He is then pulled into a special tent along with the Kenyans, Ethiopians and other top U.S. runners, male and female. They get special towels, shirts, and massages. They even have special porta potty there and also one before the race.
I hope David does well this year. His last two races along this course were not so good. Last year he ended up walking when he hit mile 5. His legs locked up big time. I knew something was wrong when I didn't see him as I counted through the top 50. He should have been in the top 25 or so, maybe even better but he was over 100 if I remember correctly. He was NOT happy.
I think, since it's supposed to be very humid, I'll just have fun with it this year. The crowds are awesome along the whole route, and I think I'll just enjoy this. Many people run this particular race just because of all the hoopla. Many do a charity run/walk and still for more this is the only race they ever train for.
Regardless of how I'll run this race, I'll still be filled with the usual pre-race jitters. It usually starts the day before and doesn't go away until the gun goes off. By mile one, the pre-race jitters turn into survival mode.
Ha. It's fun...you should try it.