The Fall Classic
Ran in the Cleveland Fall Classic today.<br />
<br />
Since I haven’t been feeling well, I really debated doing this run. My training runs have been a real struggle. My legs seem to be fine but my breathing is all messed up. I feel a little congested and I cough a lot. I seem to have a fever at night. I am tempted to go on Web MD (aka hypochondriacs unite dot com) to see if I can figure out why. I suppose it could still be the wisdom teeth.<br />
<br />
But, anyway, I was already registered and the weather forecast (which had been ranging between bad and terrible) had changed — this turned out to be a stunning day, really gorgeous: the high ended up begin around 55 and it was a beautiful sunny day. You can’t ask for more in middle November in Cleveland.<br />
<br />
Hmm. I just found out that GERD (which I most definitely have) can cause night sweats and a cough. HMMM.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah. Back to the race. It was pretty easy to get there: I just hopped on the parkway (at Mastick) and drove straight through the Rocky River Reservation on into Mill Stream. When I got there at 8 AM, there was already parking problems, so I parked along the parkway and walked in — it was COLD. I picked up my packet with no hassle. The Fall Classic gives out REALLY nice mock turtle neck tech shirts. Very nice design, conservative, perfect for running (maybe I will wear mine tomorrow if I run).<br />
<br />
I took my bag back to the car and I sat there until 8:50. I saw when I picked up my packet that the 5K started at 9:15. I got out of my car and jogged down to where I saw people lining up for the half-marathon. When I got to that area, I saw one of my friends and we hung out together. The half-marathon, scheduled for 9:00, took off about 9:15.<br />
<br />
Then we lined up for the 5K. I was really cold by this time. I would guess it was in the high 30s or low 40s. Finally at about 9:30 we were off. I decided I was going to take this race slow and be very conservative. I did the first mile in 9:15. The pace felt ok, not too hard. It was an out and back course, turning around at the tobaggon chutes. I was still doing ok there, but things just weren’t right. Kept looking for mile marker two on the way back. My split for the second mile was 18:29. So the second mile was also almost exactly 9:15. I wanted to pick up my pace but I couldn’t. I don’t know; I think its part mental (I lost my confidence) and part I’m just not breathing too well these days. I ended up finishing in 28:06. Yeah, not good.<br />
<br />
After the race, I hung around some with my friend. We did some light jogging and watched some of the half-mary. Then I decided around 10:30 to take off. Didn’t get any food, but I heard the spread was really good.<br />
<br />
I drove home and ate a PBJ for lunch. Went to the mall and wandered around. My left ankle hurts. Got the hiccups twice (haha). Didn’t buy anything. <br />
<br />
Watched “Gettysburg” tonight. Wow. I hadn’t watched it in awhile.<br />
<br />
Going to take a shower and get ready to watch “Family Guy” at nine o’clock. And hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. But I’m not holding my breath right now.