Flat is Good

So, what's the difference between Pennsylvania and New Jersey? I am sure there are some funny answers to that questions from both sides of the river. But, for me the difference between Pennsylvania and New Jersey is....about 1 minute.

This past Saturday, I ran the 14th Annual Gloucester Township Scholarship 5k in Clementon, NJ. The race was about and hour and fifteen minutes from my house and, when I woke up, it was pouring rain. Now, you are asking yourself, what the heck was he thinking when he entered this race? It was for a good cause. It was in support of a friend.

You see, a few months ago, a work colleague of mine, decided to change her life. She would get up early every morning and hit the treadmill for a half hour or so. She decided to start to eat healthy. Finally, after all this time on the treadmill, she decided she wanted to do a 5k. She asked me and a few other colleagues at work who also ran, would we participate in the race with her? She picked the date and place. It was my duty to show for the race.

Let me tell you, a few hours after I woke up, it started to pour. No matter. I've raced in rain and cold before. Just gut it out and call it a day. Besides, as much as staying in bed on a day like that seems comforting, it would not have been worth it considering the harassment I would have experienced from my colleagues for not showing up. So, off I went to New Jersey.

When I got there, I met up with my colleague. Her family was there to support and cheer her on. Having done 80+ races, you forget how exciting that first race is. She was confident but nervous. She was asking me a lot of questions. I told her, don't run for time just for the fun of it. You will notice the difference between running by yourself and against others. And, you'll be surprised how fast the race really is. It will feel like forever when you are out there but, after the race, you'll wonder where it all went.

So, why is there a minute difference between Pennsylvania and New Jersey? Every race in the Bucks County 5k series, there is a hill. And, you can't get away from it. Because that's the topology of the land. You may be having a decent time in a 5k, only to have it shot down by the hill. However, this course was advertised as flat and fast. And, it was. South Jersey doesn't have the hills as where I live. There was some inclines on the course and some wind gusts knocked you over a bit.

I did the first mile in 7:44. At that point, it started to show there were only 54 runners in the race as we started to spread out a bit. I saw people ahead of me but not worth challenging to catch up with them. So, I settled into a comfortable pace at that point. I knew there was someone behind me but far enough away that I didn't consider him a threat to my pace.

At around the 2.75 mile point of the race, there was an incline you had to go up before making a right and heading for the finish. As you ran up that incline, you were running right into the wind. I felt I was running in a vat of tapioca up that incline. I made the right to head for the finish and suddenly, the guy behind me who was not a threat was on my shoulder and started to pass me. I looked at him and decided he wasn't in my age group but I'm going to make him earn the fact that he passed me. So, I sped up a bit. He answered the challenge and beat me. I ran a 25:18 to his 25:17. And, if you look at that time, it's almost a minute faster than the New Hope race last Sunday. In reality, I didn't think much of it afterwards as I wanted to cheer my friend in.

I waited for her with her family. We saw her coming around the corner and her kids began to get excited. As she headed to the finish, her family and the rest of us were cheering her in. She had done it and in great time for a first time out. The proud look on her family's collective faces was something to see. They were so happy. She was so happy. And, the rest of us were very proud of her as well. It was worth the trip just to see that.

Well, I stuck around for the award ceremony. As it turns out, I placed second in the Clydesdale division (200+ pounds). There were 5 Clydesdale participants in total. And, they were all 10-20 years younger than me. And, the guy who beat me? Yep, it was the guy who passed me at the end. As it turns out, all the awards were the same if you finished first, second or third in your division so I wasn't too bothered by that (I keep telling myself). And, for my colleague? Yep, she won an award the first time out. I was glad for her. I told her that doesn't happen everyday but, nonetheless, she should be proud of the award and proud that she went out there and ran the race. We all are.

(Notes: Congratulations to my alma mater, Boston Unversity, as they won the NCAA Ice Hockey men's championship on Saturday night in overtime against Miami (Ohio) University. A great game as the Terriers (BU) had to score 2 goals in the last minute of the third period to tie to send into overtime. Also, good luck to the Boston marathoners next Monday. I know you will do well. I got a road bike from my fellow Blue Dawg, Mitch, who has lent me the bike for my upcoming triathlon. I want to thank Mitch for helping me out. I appreciate it.
RIP, Harry. Yours was a truly legendary voice!!!!!