Despite stating recently that I would be stepping away from running, pride pulled me back into the fold this morning.
My running partner and I had taken up squash to keep our competitive relationship going. Problem is, he's been killing me on the squash court, and reminding me of it every time we cross paths. Knowing he was doing this race, I signed up, with the hopes adjusting his sarcastic attitude. We chuck s**t back and forth at each other constantly, so I knew this was going to be fun. He's never beaten me in a race, but he was pretty confident given my lack of training that today would be his day.
At the start of the race, I ran just off his shoulder, and tossed little jibs at him, just to get in his head. At 1 km, I broke away hard, and opened 50 metres on him, hoping to break him early by getting him to chase me outside of his comfort zone. He didn't follow, so I dropped until he was even again. I started telling him exactly where on the course I would drop him again, again to get in his head. At about 3.5 km, I broke again, and this time he followed. I slowed, he followed, and I broke again, this time for good. I ended up beating him by 30 seconds.
My time was a PW 22:38, but given I haven't trained since my knee injury in Sept, and considering the silly little games I played throughout the race, I will take that time with a huge smile on my face. As an added plus, I got to carry on my tradition of rubbing Jo-Jo's Boston jacket for luck, as she was a volunteer at the race registration. Thanks again, Jo-Jo!!
And no, I'm not normally as cocky as this race report sounds...that's just the relationship me and my training partner have.
The race winner was Paul Chafe (who invited him!?!) in 15:38.
.
:think::think:
It's good to hear you having fun on your comeback.
