Race Preparation

Without noticing, I haven't been here since July. I suspect that both of you stopped checking for updates long ago. On the off chance that you are reading, read on.

From July 4 until now, a big span of time, I have done what most people do and few people write about, I have tried to rebuild my fitness so that I could run or cycle with some level of skill. As summer grew shorter and the days along with it, I made a discovery if it's fair to call it that: I found that I am a much better runner than cyclist. Leaving aside my embarrassing bike handling skills, and trust me, you are better off next to me than sucking my wheel or me grabbing yours, my cycling fitness has hit a plateau. I don't climb the bumps we call hills all that well anymore and I can't pedal all that fast anymore. It was pretty good in July and the early part of August then changes occurred.

The first week in August, I fell into the ranks of the China one child policy and had the faucet turned off permanently. My progeny, that is to say ALL of my progeny, are now alive, and well, I might add. The lovely parting gift that came with that, "procedure" was a week off from all physical activity and running and cycling.

I returned from that break with enthusiasm but not much vigor. I returned to running action on August 8 with a plodding 5 mile run http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=runners,runs,618988526 and then tried to rebuild what a week had taken away. I didn't get on the bike much and then a week later, I travelled to San Diego for a family vacation. While there, I continued running and did not have access to a bike. The runs were great during that time, mostly on the beach early in the morning. The best of which was a 6 mile run the day we flew home. http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=runners,runs,618988526

I felt so energized by all the running I did in California, 5 runs in 8 days, that I hit the roads when I got home and ran a stunning 10 miler on the Green Bay Trail. Running fitness was coming back and I wasn't engaging in any of the black magic of fartlek, speedwork or so much as looking in the direction of a track. My fitness improved the old fashioned way - I ran miles and then I got faster and fitter.

Long story long, I mailed a check for $30 to the organizers of a 10K to be held this Saturday, September 27 that begins at the Ravinia grounds. I am under no illusion that I will be particularly fleet footed come race day. My hopes are to: 1) complete the distance without injury (no small feat given my history, 2) feel strong on the hilly sections, 3) run up tempo without being out of control and 4)if no one faster than me shows up, win the whole damn thing. I don't expect to win, or even win my age group, but the great thing, also sometimes annoying thing, about racing, is that you don't know who else will toe the start line. You could run your best race ever (I, for the record, won't this time, but maybe in the future) and place way down the line or you could have a crappy race and go home with a trophy to remind you of your lousy performance. I have experienced both. The hardware is nice, but it doesn't really beat a brilliant time on the clock.

That said, (are you still reading?), I have won one race in my life, in law school against a field of non-runners, and if a win is available, I'll take it. Wouldn't you?