2006 Pirate Toy Fund Run for Toys 5k

Run: 5k (3.1 miles) in :20:56? min. @ 9:15 a.m.

Weather Report: Cloudy w/light drizzle, 53°F, 77% Humidity, Winds: SW @ 7 mph; feels like 53°F.

I really hate it when I do not register for runs in advance, especially when there is more than one attractive race in which I could run. Today posed just such a internal conflict. Last year I ran in the Mendon Trail Runs, completing the 10k loop. This year I have planned to compete again, this time, possibly, at a longer distance (20k?).

About two weeks ago, I also realized that there was a 5k being organized that I had not run before, a distance at which I have recently found some success with improving times and age group placing (3rd, 1st, and so on...)

So what to do?

The driving thought as to my electing to participate in the Pirate Toy Fund Run for Toyswas that I coulg "use" the 5k as my speed training run, which would also permit me to run a long slow distance run tomorrow without the worry of possibly over training... SOLD! After finishing the run, I was glad to have done it... especially, because I once again placed 1st in my age group(M30-39), although I may have benefitted from a snafu in the race's route organization.

At about the first quarter mile mark, the course made its way up a sharp incline, or so we thought... the point that course was actually supposed to turn left at the base of the incline was lost on most of the runner's (including your's truly).

The confusion resulted in the first six to sveen runners who were in the lead went the wrong way up the incline. Fortunately for me, as well as those running my intial pace, it was as I was about to make my way up the incline that most of us stopped as some different directions were given to turn left. After a few moments, the race resumed in earnest and we were all back on the correct course.

The elite runners who had gone the wrong way recovered nicely and soon passed me. I'm not sure if there were any less-than-elite runners from my age group that may have lost out on some time as a result of the error, but my guess is that had they been that fast, they too would have caught those of us who had been closer to the correct turn.

Gary the Happy Pirate, a local celebrity of sorts who's foundation sponsored the fundraising event, presented the awards and I was glad to be one of the age group recipients! I remember Gary's old short-lived local televsion show from when my kids were little and it was kind of cool seeing (albeit a little older) pirate-type guy... so, despite the logistical problems with the start time (delyed 10 minutes!) and race course, it appeared a "happy" time was had by all.

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