Father's Day 5k - June 20, 2010
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Prelude
I'm not sure if I have ever actually done a 5k by itself, so when Josiah talked about doing the Father's Day 5k in Sacramento, I thought it might be an interesting challenge and wanted to give it a day in court. Since I injured my back I haven't been able to do a whole lot of running, just a few times plodding around the concrete jungle at work. The Father's Day 5k would not only be a great way to celebrate my three greatest accomplishments on this Earth (my three beautiful spawn - at least I'm pretty sure they are mine), but it would also be a good test for my mental fortitude to push thru the lactic acid build up that accompanies sprint distance racing. Josiah talked Mike and Des into doing it as well, and before I knew it I was $25 poorer (due to the race fee), but ready to become rich with experience and vitality.
Race Morning
After some pre-planning and coordination, it looked like the Sanders would pick me up at 7:45 and then we would pick up Mike. Des was planning to push Zeke and Samson in the stroller while Mike, Josiah, and I planned to run the 5k at a clip that would leave us not only near cardiac collapse, but also glory that would extend to generations beyond; the type of running that our children would tell their children about. Joe and Des were right on time, and due to my cracker jack timing I had just polished off my bagel and delicious Marathon Bar. As my shipment of nearly 300 Marathon Bars had come in, I grabbed a bunch to give to my compatriots in preparation for our 5k of suffering. After picking up Mike we headed to Roseville where the race was being held, exchanging general pleasantries and race strategies as this was Mike's first ever running event. We got to the race venue (Statue Park) about 45 minutes before the beginning of the race, and were able to quickly check in and get our sweet race shirts. There was definitely a positive vibe in the race atmosphere as the venue was bustling (this might be a bit of an overstatement) with families as men, women, children, and canines all waited with great anticipation for the start. Some how my name had gotten associated with the walker/stroller division (perhaps an indication of how fast they anticipated I may end up going), so to keep it simple and avoid confusion, the race director suggested that I start with the walkers which sounded good to me. Des took a few pictures with her cell phone, and before we knew it the race organizer was calling all of the competitors over to the starting chute for some pre-race instruction and to listen to the National Anthem (great tune). After the National Anthem a little bit of Americana came onto the loudspeaker as the Eye of the Tiger began to reverberate thru the crowd, increasing adrenaline, endorphins, and all things good that can come from such a glorious tune.
The Race
At just prior to 9am, the countdown commenced and the race was on. Mike and Joe tore out of the starting chute bounding down the first rolling hills, looking like a pair of gazelles floating effortlessly across the beautiful Roseville tundra. Des and I chatted for a few minutes while we waited for the walker/stroller division to start, while Zeke and Samson appeared ready to begin their whirlwhind tour at the helm of the baby jogger that Des would be pushing. Before we knew it the gun had gone off for the walkers and strollers and I was off like the wrapper of a Marathon Bar. A couple things I realized in the first few minutes of the race was that, 1) I haven't run up or down a hill in years, and this course had some rolling hills which were messing with my head, and 2) I went out significantly too fast. My goal was to catch up with Mike and Joe, but my spirited pursuit was being hampered by the burning in my legs and lungs; and I came to the realization that it was going to be a long race after the early adrenaline rush has been expended.
I ended up catching up with Mike and Joe around the 1 mile marker, the two gazelles looked like they may have been experiencing some of the same ill-fated effects I was feeling from going out too fast. After a quick repartee of encouragement and a few snide remarks about the tri-shorts I was wearing to a family event, I continued on my way to the turn around point of the race. I again faced more undulations that I could really have done without, but I pressed forward and persevered much like any father on this great day of honorary celebration. I got to the turn around point, wished the race director's father a Happy Father's Day (he was the one handing out the water), and turned around for the return trip. The return trip was really quite pleasant as I had caught up with a lot of the runners, and I also got to see all of the folks from the walker/stroller group. I must say that I was very impressed with the number of families in this race with a large number of young kids (like 6 year olds) actually running the race; what a great inspiration to the American public. I kind of wished that I had brought Kaiya with me as she had rocked the house at the Breast Cancer 5k, but I quickly realized that I couldn't be thinking of what I could of, should of, or would of done, as I had to focus on the moment, solving the issues at hand, with the most paramount being the finish line and how to get there quickest. I endeavored my body forward, giving words of encouragement (actually air gasping grunts at this point) to my fellow racers. I saw the statues of Statue Park in the distance and so I redoubled my efforts in trying to finish strong. The final hill nearly killed me, but at last the finish line was in sight, and I was able to triumphantly cross the line with my head held high.
After finishing I grabbed a bottle of water and a granola bar as I waited for my brothers in arms to finish the race. Josiah came next thru the finish line pushing Zeke and Samson in the jogging stroller...there must've been some sort of mid-race stroller hand-off between Joe and Des; I was going to check with the race director for the legality of this maneuver, but decided I would let it go seeing as it was a national holiday. Joe and I chatted at the finish line, and shortly thereafter Desiree came sprinting up the hill and crossed the finish line. Apparently she obliterated her time from the Breast Cancer race even though there were the many rolling hills on this course. The three of us hung out and got our vocal chords ready to cheer Mike on. To the thunderous cheers and applause of the many spectators, the speedy little roadrunner came up over the last hill and finished his first 5k in phenomenal fashion. As Mike stated on his Facebook page, 'just got back from running/walking my first 5k every. And no, it wont be my last. I started in the running division and finished among the middle of the pack in the stroller division. But hey, I finished!' We watched as all the other racers came in and we cheered for them, especially the youngsters who had just covered such a significant distance.
Post Race
We hung out for awhile after the race, listening to the music, eating granola bars, and trying to get Zeke to keep his pants up. The race director did an awards ceremony, and shortly thereafter we packed everything up and began the trek home. One quick stop at the convenience store and 44 ounces of Diet Dr. Pepper later, I was placated, bloated, tired, and enthused that my Father's Day had started off in such a stupendous manner. I got home and Kaiya and Abby gave me cards that they had made for Father's Day. Kaiya had drawn some pictures of me where I had gray hair, and I had to contest her depictions of me, as everyone knows that my hair is a nice sandy brown. We ate some crumb cake that Gretchen had made and then we all got ready for church.
This was a really great grass roots event benefiting a good cause (Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center). There was likely only 75 people at this event, but as most events like this go, it was a lot of fun and the people were all very encouraging to one another. I believe it was the race director's first event she has directed and she did a great job. If we are in Sacramento next year at this time we will certainly put it on the calendar as it was a good time had by all.
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