A beautiful run

I finished my competitve career with a good effort in Ottawa. I was pleased with the way the race unfolded: I got stronger as it went on, I moved up in the pack, and I passed one guy on the final stretch. I only ran 4:16, but this was the best race of the season for me, in terms of how it felt. I actually had a kick, for one thing. I answered all the questions, and I answered them correctly. When I was in doubt, I went faster, which is the way to go (thanks Terry G for that one!).

I also wanted to say that the whole experience of the "last" race was a good one. I met Freddy and Wes, and we warmed up on the trails, talking about Freddy's kids and the kid I met at the track last week. The three of us, though I only really know Freddy, and not that well, chatted like old friends, it seemed to me. During the race, they ran together for most of it, then with a lap to go, Freddy took off and Wes faded, and according to the results, I got him in the final stretch. I thought it was the other guy from OTTL that I had caught, though. Anyway, we warmed down by running to the bus terminal at Billings, discussing whether or not a chest strap on a backpack (they both often commute by running) was helpful to training. Through in a few surges--guys feeling like they hadn't raced hard enough maybe, though not I!--and then three sweaty guys on a bus. The cliché they say is "it's the people I'll miss"--well, I won't miss them because I'll still be around, coaching, running, but not really racing anymore. I think I've done all I can.

Haha, so maudlin...anyway, did I even have a career worth retiring from? That is to say, what will change? Well, here are my PBs:

800m 2:01.9 (1998)
1500m 4:09.1 (1998)
3000m 8:46 (2005)
5k 15:43 (2005)
10k 32:44 (2006) 32:36 xc (2004--probably a short course)
1/2 marathon 1:13:59 (2004)
Marathon 2:43:57 (2006)

Pretty middle-of-the-pack, but faster than most people in the world could run those distances. Probably only a couple thousand people have gone faster. I suppose that's not bad. I probably won't go faster again. Interesting thought, that.

No one believes me that I am "retiring" and maybe it's pointless to say so, but to be honest, I don't want to feel like I "have" to do it anymore. Maybe that is significant, that I feel like I have to. I'm looking forward to running, still, and running some trail races, but not having the day-in, day-out need for a run. It's a little weird, really, this running business. But I know it, and I have shared it with a lot of people. I'm not knocking it--that would be hypocritical au bas mot (did I use that right?)--just saying I'm out.

I think I've learned a few things throughout though, enough to write a book, maybe. ;)

Jay Cantin is a guy who has much faster PBs than I, and he made a little video that encapsulates the good stuff, I think.



So, on to law school...