Race Report: Thank the Hills

The Tallmadge Memorial 5-K was Monday. This was my fourth time running it. Each time has been faster than the last. I gained a second in the chute. I've done extra-long reports on this race. Now, here's an extra-short version in haiku:

7:09
Weave with Martini
Fighting the tight crowd down hill
My fastest first mile?

7:33
Hot and humid now
Slog starting to set in now
Big uphill comes now

7:44 (1.1 miles @ 7:02 pace)
Past the last marker
Pass that kid into the chute
A personal best

The Aftermath
This race gave me faith in the hill training I have been focusing on in the last month or so. In fact, I ran 10 miles on Saturday on a portion of the Buckeye Trail, a very hilly and technical out-and-back that left my legs feeling like jelly afterward. Last year, I started track sessions in March. I haven't stepped on the oval of doom yet this year.

My revised goals turned out to be unnecessary. I picked off my top two original goals, but the rest will have to wait until next time. That is, after all, the great thing about running: There's always more to accomplish.

A new feature to this year's race was a separate start for men and women, which I think was done to thin the herd at this growing, small-town race. It worked out well, and it was neat to be able to cheer for most of the women before the start of my race.

The giveaway shirts were a huge upgrade over last year's hideous golden puke-colored technical T-shirts. Instead we got a fairly attractively designed, blue Asics technical tank top, which I will actually wear. Good job, Ritchie's!

I said this was going to be an extra-short report, but here I am prattling on ...

Flashback Friday: Be Seen or Be Slain

Twice this week it happened. Driving home from work, I saw some runners whom I almost didn't see. Obviously, these jokers need a brush-up on my Winter Running Rules, specifically No. 6.

As a runner, I like to think I'm fairly cautious about looking out for fellow runners when I'm driving. You know, do unto others? Namely, don't squash a runner with your right front fender if you yourself would prefer not to be squashed by another driver's right front fender.

One of these runners I saw actually was wearing a reflective vest, but he was still a bit difficult to see. It should go as a warning that you should do your best to be as visible as possible, but remain aware that sometimes your efforts are still not enough.

Be careful out there. I hate when my readers die off.

Back Talk
Wherein we consider the spiritual path of the Ninja.

FunnyRunner swats a nunchaku at my Ninja running style: "Maybe you're just thinking about it too much. Just run, man. Think about something else ..."

Answer: How Zen. Do Ninjas follow Zen? Or would that make me a Samurai? That could be a Haiku.

Happy Hour is nearly upon us, teammates. Don't spend your weekend in the drunk tank. Run well and drink well. Cheers!

Oh, God, Not Again ...

Run easy, in storm
Fast pace lifts rock of ages
Into shoe, heel torn

Flashback Friday: All You Get

You don't like poems
Well that's just too bad for you
I don't give a shit

***

Here is yet one more
With a different
Rhythmic scheme you don't approve

***

Happy Hour is near
I haven't run since Tuesday
Run well and drink well

Haiku No. 2: Sockless Solipsism

Pound feet bare inside
Twinge right knee behind
Untapped barrels of knowledge

Sick Runner: A Haiku

Sick I don't like it
When my nose runs when I don't
I caught the flu bug