Easy Gait

Last night was the 2006 Boston Chase Corporate Challenge. I am not sure if this was a positive or negative race. I was thinking about it the entire time on both of my runs today. Just going back and forth on well it sucked or it was a step in the right the direction. Here it is in a simple Six Sigma good/bad analysis. You can scan the data and decide for yourself.

Good:
1. Did not get worked up into a nervous mess before the start of the race.
2. Ran in the lead pack until the surges got to me.
3. Was mentally in it the whole time trying to evaluate and get maximum return

Bad:
1. Never made a real hard move to try and win
2. When Mortimer made his move, I knew he was making it, and didn't give 100% to go with him because I was scared of bonking last half mile and slowing down.
3. No kick

What all this added up to was a 17:25 effort of 3.5 miles on a rather hot boston night. It was good enough for third place. Some volunteer also called me "hon" at the end of the race. For some reason that was always a pet peeve of mine unless it is my mother. She can call me what ever cute name she wants. OK, back on track here. The race started just as predictably as the last 8 of them have. About 20 people who have no idea what they are doing go charging out at about 4:35 pace to get into the lead and make sure they have a good position. Then, about 300m into the race, you can almost see the acid solidify in their muscles as their pace slips to about 6 minute pace all at once. As I was running by those guys I was almost sorry for them. I was thinking, " the next 3.4 miles is not going to be any fun at all for you." Some pace advice on the chase corporate website would be very welcome to them I am sure. Alasdair McClean-Foreman went to the lead and I went with him and Mortimer closed in close behind. I was also surprised to see past corporate champion Ed Baker up there in the lead pack. Rumor around my training group was he had a hitch in his giddy up and would not be racing. He unfortunately could not finish with us because of said injury. Alasdair, Mortimer, and myself quickly distanced ourselves from the chase pack and I figured it was going to be Mortimer. He was just cruising right along behind us with out much effort what so ever. At the second bridge after the turn around at Kenmore Square, Mortimer took off and I couldn't go. Alasdair went for a little while but then he fell off as well. What we didn't see was the fastest runner in the world Eric Las who ran the race in an amazing 00:31 and won the race. Check the results. Any one who can average 8 second miles is tough to beat.

Today could be the perfect day if it wasn't for my good for nothing contractor. I had gotten today off because the contractor was supposed to come and put the counter top and sink in. Obviously it was too nice to work because he called and said the wrong color sink came in and he could not install until Wednesday. Perfect. I used to think you could never get sick of take-out. I am sick of take out. The Comcast van was on our street today, the guy casually knocked out the whole streets cable. There isn't a huge soccer tournament or anything going on is there?

Besides that, all the hassle of moving to this house was finally worth it today.
This morning was a nice 7.5 mile run through Memorial Forest with Christy Mae in ideal 75 degree weather.
Afterwards, we got to utilize this.

I swear I am part fish. I love the water and love to swim. The best job I have ever had was lifeguard. They actually paid me to teach swimming lessons, hang at the beach, workout, and play guard games. Christy worked on her dives and I just sort of floated around. If any of you are looking at installing a pool or purchasing a house with one, I strongly recommend it.

Then I mowed the lawn and fixed the bike and cleaned the car and did some puttering. At 5 another 4.8 miles through ARWR in 85 degree sunny perfect running conditions. 6 strides, 30 laps, 50 kicks, and a couple swan like dives.

Pretty good day.

Would have been perfect if the cable guy didn't knock out our cable and if the contractor actually showed up. Can't get everything I guess.

Tomorrow is supposed to be very much like today and I am excited to get some more good runs in with some more swimming.

That's all I got.