2007 Furry Scurry 10k Road Race

Weather Report: Partly Sunny, 68°F, 81% Humidity, Winds: From WSW @ 4 mph; feels like 70°F.

Run: 6.2 miles in :42:48 min. @ 8:00 a.m.
Pace: 6:54 min./per mile avg.

Pre-Race Observations: This morning's run is a benefit for the Verona Street Animal Society, a local organization dedicated to "providing the resources necessary to enable Rochester Animal Services to more effectively serve the public’s animal care and control, pet sterilization, and pet adoption interests and, in cooperation with the City of Rochester, to support the mission of Rochester Animal Services." This is a great cause which, as I've mentioned previously, makes registering and participating all the more rewarding.

The race is unique in that, as well as being a 10k run, there is also an opportunity for those not interested in running, to bring their dogs for a walk along a one-mile course. This morning, as I am huffing and puffing along 6.2 miles, Anne and the boys are going to take our English Springer Spaniel, Gracie, for a walk through our River City streets.

Once again, I've also broken with another previously held personal "tradition" by wearing the ace t-shirt during the race! This one has a "kewl" logo (see to the right above) and I somehow felt that I would be supporting the cause more fully supporting the cause by sporting the t-shirt during the run. (Yes, I do give these seemingly meaningless dress decisions way too much thought!)

Post-Run Reflections: As you can tell from the (mildly disgusting and sweaty) pictures, I opted at the last moment to have my son wear the t-shirt as I ran the race. Following my warm-up, the temperature dictated that only the wicking shirt was necessary. (You know, "cotton kills!") The inaugural event was well planned with quite a bit of post-race vittles for everyone (dogs, too!), of which there were quite a few, including our pup.

The race started in between the two largest of the downtown Kodak office buildings. The pic that follows is one that I should print and tape to the refrigerator as I look to weigh about 250 lbs.!


There appeared to be nearly one hundred or so folks registered to run the 10k and about half as many who, like my wife and kids, would be walking their dog in a 1 mile loop.


I felt that I ran a very smart race, pacing myself over the first four miles with two other athletes whom I've observed run well in the past. The course took us down through the city and out along the southern section of the Genesee River Trail Path before turning back. I pulled away at about mile four and at this point thought I might have a shot at a PR, or maybe even breaking 42 minutes. It was not to be...

I ended up placing twentieth out of the 184 finishers and second overall in my age group (M 35-39). For my efforts, I was awarded a $40 dollar gift certificate to our local FleetFeet store, one of the race's excellent collection of sponsors... HUZZAH!

In the final analysis, a great time was had by all, and it is a certainty that Gracie will sleep for the next two days!

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