Booth on the run….

Off the subject of cycling….many of you know my other big passion off the bike is running. I’ve been competing in the running scene from 5K to Half Marathons for some time now. Last June I turned forty, which qualifies you into the Master’s Open division. This division is very competitive in the large foot races with cash payouts. In mtn biking that’s rarely heard of in the amateur races. For a long time now, I’ve been on the older end of the spectrum. I’ve been taking my licks from the “young whipper snappers”. The beauty of turning forty is now I’m the “young whipper snapper” for the Masters. The window is small for excelling in this division. Age is not kind on run times. It is rare to see a runner in his upper forties be competitive in this division.

My objective is to compete at some of the larger half marathons, meaning with 5,000 runners or more. It’s a rush having that many people at one event with everyone participating. My first target was the Big Sur Half Marathon in Monterey. This race is large (5,000 runners) and well organized. My main goal is to win the Master’s Open division. This year was sold out and had a very competitive elite and master’s field. Coming off a diaphragm tear injury two weeks prior put me into a state of panic for preparation. After missing a valuable week of training and the need for a quick recovery, my training was condensed to a final weekend. Like cramming for a test the night before. In my mind, it was not possible to miss this race. This has been a focus of mine for three months now. I knew going into this weekend it was going to be a rush job. My son had a soccer game down in Simi Valley on Sat until 12pm. We drove straight up to Monterey nonstop. I did have Jim Adams pick up my race packet…which notched my stress level down a point. Thanks Jim..I would never have made the time frame for pick up. I drove part of the course in the dark and hid a few wattle bottles in the bushes. 7am was the starting time…painful! That meant waking up at 5am. The temperature was a bone chilling 42 degrees. In running, you tend on wearing the bare minimum. Shorts and a thin shirt. Not knowing the course or the competition meant only one game plan. Run as hard as possible and try to stay with the elite runners as long as I could. On the first mile that’s what I did….unfortunitly…these guys (top ten) are fast! We clocked a 4:50min/mile time on the first mile! The 1st place guy went on to win the race running that time the entire 13.2 miles!! Holy sh***!!! After mile one I found myself running alone, in no man’s land. I was in 12th position and had a gap in front and behind me. This is never good in a long race. Just like cycling, running is easier with drafting and someone to work with. I knew the next 12 miles were going to hurt. The course turned out tough. I have run the SB Half many times and that course is supposed to be hilly, but the Big Sur hurt me more. Tons of rolly hills with a tough climb out of Cannery Row, plus a nice little head wind on the way back. Don’t get me wrong, this course had stunning ocean views, but my vision was skewed from the lack of O2 to my brain. In the end, I held my 12th position overall out of 5,000 runners which put my time 2nd in the Master’s open division. The Master’s course record was shattered by Idaho “stud” Kevin Sheehy who ran a 1:10:29. My 1:14:22 time broke the prior M40-44 course record but was no match to Sheehy’s time. I can’t wait until next year!