Race Day: Seneca Falls Women's Rights 10k

Race: 6.2 mi. in :42:25 min. @ 9:00 a.m.

Weather Report: Rain Shower, 69°F, 50% Humidity, Winds: NNE @ 4 mph; feels like 69°F.

Waking up this morning and pulling open the blinds I was happy to see that it was pouring out. Not just sprinkling, but "cats-and-dogs" type rain. I was not sure it would be the same at the location of the race, as it was about a 50 minute drive East, but upon lnading in Seneca Falls, I was glad to see that the weather was remarkably similiar.

It has been incredibly hot and humid in these parts the last few weeks, and the rain helped dispel some of the heat and also allowed me the added psychological comfort of wearing my favorite running shoes without looking silly. The shoes I wore in today's rac were my trailrunners, which, although outrageously worked-in and comfy, are not suited for general paved road racing. I usually reserve their use for training in extreme elements or trail runs. Today could clearly be called an "extreme elements" type day.

The Women's Rights 10k and Cady Stanton 5k both start and end at the same time and location. There is a fork about .8 mile up the road where 10k runners go left and 5k runners, right. This is my second run of this course after finishing 6th overall last year and winning my age goup (M30-39). There seems to be a few more runners and more more athletic appearing people participating this year. I recognize some folks as being pretty gifted road racers, based on what I've seen at previous runs.



I actually had quite a bit left in the tanlk as I come down toward the shute. At about the 6 mile point I look back and realize that their is nobody in a position to run me down in the final stretch. Unfortunately, I am also not in the position to track anyone else down. The young lady is just in front of me ran a smart race, not picking up her pace (and passing me) until mile 5. I never got close to her again. It was great to see my wife at the finish. She had not been to a race recently and it was great to have her support.



Not a personal best time today, but I did improve my overall time by 20+ seconds over last year's time on the same course. In doing so, I finished second in my age group and 10th overall. For my efforts, I earned a labelled bottle of wine (pictured below), which will find a temporary resting place (until I am told to move it into the attic with my other junk) on the mantle in our living room. Initially, I was dissappointed by my finish, but it was such a great day and I felt I ran a good race, it would be silly to be sullen about it.



Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!