Spiridon Goes Uptown

If we looked a little thin yesterday at the long run, it's because a good chunk of Team Spee (we'll see if that catches on) were running the IBM Uptown Classic 10K this morning.

Quite frankly, I've hated this race for the past couple of years. It's tended to be in early October, and it seemed to be in the mid- to high- seventies, with near 100% humidity. The course used to feature the damned, damned, Great Northern (of The Damned). No sir, I didn't like it. Last year, it became the only race I ever quit. It was not for good cause, and I won't ever do it again, but it was not surprising that it happened in the Uptown Classic. Shame, because it was one of the better shirts ever.

But I, um, get off topic. This year, ironically, it essentially switched time slots with the Chicago Marathon, which luckily resulted in a cooler, slightly less humid morning. And, of course, we know how the switch worked out for Chicago...

There was also a new course, which was a bit odd: a narrow first mile for 1,860 runners; a run through the weird Domain Shopping Compound (Mandy's text yesterday from the Domain: "I feel like I'm in the Truman Show"); more grades and hills than you might expect up north, including a fairly challenging fifth mile; and, the kicker - 28 frickin' turns. Yes, 28 turns in a six mile race. With the narrow streets and variety of runners out there, the first mile was less than ideal to set or approach a personal record, with the crowds pinching and slowing at every turn, but the course gave back as much as it took, and we were well prepared.

Christina led us in at 53:55, setting, if I remember correctly, a personal record. In fact, let's get this out there - a "PR" is "personal record." You'll be hearing that a lot, I think...

After being 39 seconds too slow in the first mile, and seriously thinking about ducking into Borders or California Pizza Kitchen, or the Barney's that Kellie says is way unchic, I was able to PR by 25 seconds.

Eve's consistent work ethic continues to pay off, as she knocked three minutes off of her previous best, even though she missed her goal of coming in under an hour by just 24.8 seconds.

Mirsa followed up her strong, steady, and unrecommended seven-mile run yesterday with a 1:04:44.

Jean came roaring down the final stretch, smiling and looking strong at 1:08:37, a new PR for her. I think she's still finding her comfort zone, and I think there's "more fast" in there... I have to say, too, that it was an impressive finish considering this conversation, at 6:56am:

(Her husband, Bill answers her cell phone): "Hello?"
"Yeah, oh, hi, Bill. This is Rob, uh, Jean's running coach." (for some reason, saying this seemed weird)
"Oh, yeah, hi."
"Uh, so, I guess, are you guys on your way and stuff?"
Brief silence.
"Does Jean need to get up?"

Mandy was seconds behind Jean, getting in her 10K action before having to run off to work. I'm sure she said something funny today, but nothing leaps to mind. I'm further sure, however, that she'll have something to say about my saying that. I will say that she embiggened the spirit with her cromulent performance.

I have to say, Jacala was the surprise of the day. Don't get me wrong, she's been as dedicated and hard-working as anyone, but I did not expect to see her running in, looking comfortable and with solid form, just under the 1:10 mark. But I looked at my watch, and it was true. Official time: 1:09:55, in what I believe is her first 10K. Another runner that was just waiting to happen.

Paul came in at 1:12:49, which he has to be OK with, considering he's coming off an injury that still bugs him a bit, and that once again, contrary to my nagging, he did the seven miles yesterday.

And, finally, Christine. I hope no one minds the play-by-play, here, with the posting of times and all that. I don't want people to get hung up on comparisons and speed. Running is all relative - for everyone but the elites, no matter how fast you are, someone's faster. That can drive you, keep you always pushing for that next landmark in the collision of time and distance. That can be a demon if you judge the worth of your running on the fact that some people are faster. The fact that almost 2,000 people ran today is a testament to the fact that the relative nature of running is the beauty of it - finish times are, at best, just a crude meter of effort, and will, and perseverance, on the course that day, in training, and in the heart of the runner.

So, just a little before one hour, forty-one minutes and fifty-one seconds after we all started the race together, we all saw Christine round the 28th turn to come down the final straight to the finish. I love that we all get that her experience is no less what we're about than the time of our fastest runner. She's put the effort and commitment into her training, which shows in her physique as well as her running, and she put the effort in to finish the race today. She's come a long way, and she'll go further, and she'll get faster. Prediction for a spring 10K: 1:20 or better.

I was very proud of everyone that raced today, and continue to be really proud to be associated with every single one of you. You do the work, you make this group. It was the first race of this new season, and I was once reminded of how different my friends and my place in the running community are from what they were a year ago. Still, I would not trade this shirt or anything that comes with it for any of the others I saw today.

Geez, I'm a freakin' sap. Maybe I'm dehydrated...

Oh and, sorry for the lame title, but consider all the jokes I missed using:

1. For a post anticipating the race: "Eminent Domain"
2. "Uptown Cl-Asskicked"
3. Had something gone wrong with the race: "D'oh!main"

It just gets worse after that.

Got a race report? Let's hear it...