August 1, Thursday
Long time a child, and still a child, when years
Tonight I watched three college runners break the 4:00 mark in an exciting mile at Monmouth University. My own mile effort was not as impressive. (7:13)
My goal was to run close to 6:30 for that mile. I’m not sure if I am really in that condition right now. But I thought it was possible. I was in the heat with 24 people all of whom had seed times in the 6 minute to 7 Minute range. I was the seventh seed in the race. My plan was to run under 3:15 for the first half and hope that I had some juice left to make a run at that 6:30 Mark in the second half. At the start of the race I was pretty stunned and taken back by the quick pace at which everyone began. I had assumed I could run with the top 7 or eight runners, but I was mired in the back of the pack. I was confused. Was I running so slowly that 20 people out of 24 were beating me? As it turned out, at the 400m and 800m marks I was right on schedule with 1:34 & 3:14. But after that it felt like I actually stopped trying. I don’t know if it was because I was just getting tired and had nothing left, or did I approached the Black Box and just back off? So, I went on cruise control and ended up running 4:00 for the second half. I was most disheartened by my lack of toughness in that effort. Then I watched those elegant college guys banging in that Monmouth Mile and had to be contented with the realization that I am now 76 years old and can still run 7:13.
A fortunate guy who still has to work on toughness! :-):-)
STEADY STATS