So how did I do today in the CIM? My watch tells the story.
My unofficial "chip time" was 3:27.10 (I haven't checked the official results yet). Not what I had hoped, but I still was able to easily reach my goal (by about 8 minutes) of qualifying for the Boston Marathon for the second time.
So, I'm happy. I'm not happy with the wind, or with my bruised right heel (no, not plantar fasciitis), both of which slowed me. But, hey, I ran a reasonably conservative race, didn't have a major bonk (as in exertional muscle cramps, though I did slow considerably after mile 20) and enjoyed this uniquely Sacramento experience.
What strikes me most about the race is the support from the populace -- not just the volunteers, who were great -- but the people who braved a windy and chilly morn in Folsom and along the route to cheer runners on.
Even the workers at the AM/PM minimart and Quizno's on Auburn-Folsom Road were not in the least bothered by a horde of runners lingering in the warmth at 6 a.m. and not buying anything.
From reading our online story, it was a close men's race. But we middle of the packers got our own drama, too. I ran with the 3:20 group for the first half (and tried to draft off tall people) and a women badly sprained her ankle and was forced to drop out. The pace leader, Pete Kelleher was a wonderful coach for the 3:20 groups. I was kind of disappointed I had to drop back off that pace, becaise the guy was an inspiration.
Oh, and did I mention the wind? The runners were cursing it from the turn onto Fair Oaks near Mile 6. I don't know what the readings were, but it seemed a lot more than just a light breeze.
But enough about me.
How was your race? There are 7,000 stories in the CIM. Feel free to share.
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