Southern Illinois 10K Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge

(Marvin) TeamDumb's first race of the year together. The S.I 10K is one of my favorite races to do. The race starts out with running on a road over the lake and then into the wildlife refuge woods. It was cool that morning with heavy fog, but the temp was warming up. It was perfect weather for running 55-60 F and no wind. I started out faster than I should have, but was able to run a good pace. By mile two I fell into the fourth place position and was keeping a steady distance from third. I was hoping that the last mile I would be able to overtake the third spot, but I ran into trouble climbing the last hill, side stitch. This happened to me the last time I ran the race, and I even slowed down for it this year. The stabbing pain was too much and I had to take a walk break. Third slipped away from me, but I was able to retain 4th place with a time of 40:22, 1st in age 30-34, and 4th/65 overall. This race really pumped me up. The endorphins were kicking in on high and now have me motivated to train harder. This feeling that I experience is the reason I run. This might be why others don't understand runners.



(David) Endorphins? Isn't that what parentless Ewoks are? Anyway, one of my plans for this running year was to start exercising earlier. I did that, started January 28th. However, because of the weather and lack of motivation I have been mostly riding my exercise bike, and not a whole lot of that. One of my goals for this race was to beat my last year's time, I did that by 15 seconds. Last year when I ran this race I wasn't too sure of myself so I decided to pace Bill Freeman who was going to run seven or seven and a half minute miles. I felt good the entire race and even kicked it up a notch about a mile to go. For some reason this year I was thinking, I am still in great shape, so when we started I took off trying to keep up with Marvin. Of course that didn't last too long. This race became a race where I helped a lot of people feel better about themselves, because between mile one and three a lot of people passed me. After the first mile I felt like throwing up, quitting, or both. I kept going and at one time the lady in front of me was pretty far away and behind I didn't see anyone. About 3/4 of a mile to go someone caught up to me and I decided to pace him. In doing this I felt better. He got a little ahead of me but I passed him and barely beat him at the line. We actually had the same time. And do you know what else? Bill came in 20 seconds later. If I had just paced him like last year I may have felt better. In the end my time was better. I quess that is all that matters. This year's time was 46:59. I came in second in 35-39, like last year, and 16th out of 65. I think about 10 or more people passed me. You can see the results at: http://rrr.olm.net/results/si10k08oa.html Unlike Marvin this race did not invigorate me too much. I think I am just waiting on warmer weather. Oh ya, Ewoks live on the planet Endor. Therefore, Ewoks that have no parents are orphans. . . Endorphins. Get it?