The Best Time

Saturday morning broke clear and cool.  Nearly a cloudless sky.  Today was the Mountain Valley 10 miler, the track club's signature spring event.  You couldn't ask for a better morning.  I arrived a bit late (for me), the smell of bbq chicken in the air. The local ruritan club holds its fund drive the same day. 

After checking in and a little socializing it was race time.  Most of the usual were there. Those hard core lean runners ready to beat the world. And then there was the rest of us or maybe just me.  I resided myself to the fact that I'll probably be last again. Old and under trained is getting to be my norm. Our good friend George had made his way "over the mountain" from Charlottesville, still rehabbing his leg from earlier surgery, he wanted to see what he could do.  Mike who had promised to run/walk with George was absent due a foot injury so I stepped up to fill in.  I knew I wasn't in shape to set any Pr's so I felt I'd "sacrifice" my time to hang out with George.
The gun sounded at 8am sharp and the 20 plus runners took off into the country side.
Mountain Valley is a tough course..one of the toughest in the Valley.  It's a beautiful run but hilly.  Out Indian trail over Belluah Hill to Mountain Valley road through Happy Valley then back to the ruritan club it's a challenging run for all.
But today was a day to just take in  all of nature's glory and hang with some good friends.  The cyclist taking part in the DR100 were passing us regularly with many well wishes...heck even the local traffic were friendly. Giving us waves of recognition and thumbs up for our efforts.
With the conversation flowing like our sweat the miles past with unusual ease. Work, family and friends were the topics of the day. Catching up with the latest happenings and gossip while pushing ourselves over the ridges and through the vallies.  Before long
we were in sight of the finish line.  With a exchange of thank you's we crossed the finish together..sharing the honor of final finishers.  But who cared?  Today was a day for friends and fellowship . A day where the ability to put one foot in front of the other was appreciated. A day when sharing time was cherished.
Sometimes your best time is when you don;t care about time at all!
Shuffle on friends

Park to Park to Legend

Saturday's weather broke cool and foggy. Waking up at 3am for a race is nothing new, but today was different I was finally going to do a non Virginia Beach half marathon.

Waynesboro's Park-to-Park half has been around for a few years but due to other commitments I  haven't been able to run it.  I've had a feeling that I would find running a hilly half to be easier than a flat course which Va Beach is.
Just 2 weeks prior I said I wouldn't do this race.  I said I'm tired of just showing up and "doing" it.  After some thinking...I hadn't run in almost 3 weeks prior to Shamrock; with  13 miles in the previous 2 weeks (wow)  I would just "do it".
It was a little eerie driving to a half in the wee morning hours. I usually crawl out of my hotel bed and walk or take a bus to the start.  After a 45 minute drive and quick stop for my java fix, I got to the park. At least I was number one preregistered person that morning. Can I take a victory lap for that?

I love watching the sun rise at races. I think it's my favorite time of day.  As the night gave way to the light of day, my fellow runners began arriving.  Sitting in my car I watch all the lean machines preparing for today's event.  I think I can remember when I was one of them. As start time approached I began my warm-up ritual walking around taking in the sights and sounds. I figure the early miles can be my running warm-up. As I was "warming-up" I was recognized from Mark's race by Jerry(?) who was also doing this for the 1st time..I think it may have been his first half.  Time to line up at the start.  I was recognized again by another Jerry (I think) who knew me from many years of local racing.  Maybe I am more known than I thought.  I kept hearing Mark's voice calling me "The Legend"

At the gun a meer 500 runners sped off across the morning dew.  I love having wet shoes at the start of 13.1 miles!  Let me say I said a meer 500 runners; I've gotten used to between 8000-20000 runners at halves!

The early miles went smooth and rather easy even the hills though my lungs were feeling the lack of distance training.  I held a slow steady pace early as I was told of the 4 miles of hills to the finish.  I decided to the run/walk thing early to save a little for the final push. At around 10 miles I was recognized again . A couple from Staunton who did "Snowballs" ran with me.  Maybe there's something to this legend thing.  I never looked at my watch the entire race and was pleased with my finish time.  Though slow by anyone else's time I was pleased due lack of traininng.  I can see a pr in the half at this race if only I train.  I was right in the feeling that the hills would help me.  Al in all I really enjoyed my morning in the sun!
Epilogue:  later that night at dinner I was recognized yet again as another former runner from my past said hi!
Shuffle on friends..the "Legend" will!