entertainments from the other side (of the finish line)

rarely do i make two posts in a single day.  actually, rarely do i ever do anything twice in a period of 24 hours.  with a few small exceptions of course.

my running comrade and i headed off to the start (and in this case, the finish as well) of the race to register and stretch.  hung around with the usual crew that usually shows up at these events.  we all know each other.  i was asked to join another running club, and look forward to further establishing myself with a productive group of people who aren't sailors.  no offense.  actually, if i use the term "productive group of people", that eliminates most sailors anyway with few exceptions.  much fewer exceptions than things i do twice in one day.

anyhow, the gun goes off, and i nearly avoid a gigantic yardsale stampede happening just in front of my feet- i had to leap over the fallen soldiers.  this happens when slower runners begin near the front of the line.  don't do it, kids.  a few guys completely wrecked this chick who was probably left completely unable to race judging by how hard she went down.   it is not my policy to assist downed runners.  i am not an emergency response professional.  the best i can do is avoid the whole pileup all together.  which i did and went on to run mile 1 in 6:30.   which is fantastic.  it was downhill.  mile two was flat, but in the glaring sun.  and mile 3 was also in the searing heat as well as uphill... really tries you.  it was not easy.  the last mile separated the fastest runners from the rest of the pack.  i was in the back of this group.  there was nobody anywhere behind me at the finish.   my splits were a 7:05 pace.  and i told my buddy at the start that i'm not out for blood- just ran a ten miler yesterday so we'll all take it easy today.  joke's on me, because let's be real...  i've never been good at taking anything easy.  not programmed for that.   bunch of men finished before me- it was a fast group.  anyhow, i came across second place in the 19-29 age group.  funny what you can do without 250lbs of dead weight pulling you down.    it feels really good to have strangers walk up to you and tell you that they've had their eye on you.  and you're fast.  and they want you to run with their club.  that's what it's all about, after all is said and done.   the camaraderie.  and also the cute outfits.