Torchlight 2006
At the starting line to the Life Time Fitness Torchlight 5k yesterday, I looked down at my race number and noticed a coupon at the end of the race for a free Michelob Ultra low calorie look at how we can appeal to the exercising crowd and isn’t it amazing how little flavor there is in this beer. Recalling how I had felt at the end of the race last year (not too hot), I turned to the guy next to me and asked, “How could anyone want beer after a run?” I guess I assumed that those standing at the front of a crowd of 2500 runners would not be the type to pound back beer after a run. Instead, he said absolutely nothing and stared through my head as if it wasn’t there. To Mr. In The Race Zone, I say: thanks for making the beginning of my race memorable. “Screw talking to people,” I thought, feeling the tension in everyone around me rise as the starting horn was lifted into the air.
Adrenaline is an interesting phenomenon: it can have amazing effects on the human body, but has to be pretty powerful to overcome normal physiological limitations. For example, if the crowd I was in was running from a herd of bulls, nobody would get tired - they would be running for their life. However, in a race situation, the adrenaline boost from the anticipation of the start wears off in the first 200 yards. Then your running gets down to brass tacks - your training either buoys you above the surface of exhaustion or pulls you down into the turbulent waters of hyperventilation, muscle cramps, and etcetera.
During the run, I realized some important things about my running style: I’m more efficient going uphill than down. That said, it’s rather discouraging to pass someone up a hill, and then have them tumble past you on the way down. Strange. I finished with a time of 18 minutes, 39 seconds. This, according to Google Calculator, is a 6.00 minute mile pace. I think this is about a three minute improvement from last year. I’d love to improve another three minutes between now and next year.
Here’s to a good race.
Comments
Dan McKeown
Good post, although I felt a lot of angst during the middle there. I also enjoyed your usage of “brass tacks,” I am sure that John T. F. Larson will be proud when he reads it. Also, did you keep that coupon for the “fitness beer” because I think it would be kind of funny to go on a run/bike ride or what-have-you with a beer instead of water. Overall it was a good post to read after work.
John T F Larson
Alex, I just wanted to applaud your use of the term "brass tacks" in your post. Well done sir, well done. Also, good job on the race.