fun in flint--wondering if others have the same experience with racing, especially with the breadth of experience on this board. it seems like for every 100 races, you get lucky to have 2 where you run over your head, 80 where you run clearly within a limited range of your relative ability and fitness, and 18 where you just hang your head. my flint mile two years ago was in the latter range, but his year was happily near the upper range of the middle 80.
4:49 at 49 has some nice symmetry, even though i'm hoping to go close to 30 seconds faster on the track in the upcoming season when i'll be 50, but i have to be happy (and patient) with the effort based on my training and fitness over the last few months. the course changed from the last couple of years, and while this may sound contradictory, at least for me it got easier, but not necessarily faster. fewer turns helped me, making it easier to segment my effort, but times seemed slower across the board for people.
short summary of the race as far as i could see it: castille (45) was otherworldly from the gun, teammate john gardiner (44) was his usual consistently strong self in second, david angel (40) continues to show his chops and range as a younger masters runner, todd straka (50) showed a fearlessness to match his fitness as he gave chase throughout the race, while i managed to outkick nat larson (55) as we traded jabs over the last 1/4 mile. i won't lie: when i backbibbingly saw larson go by at the quarter to go mark with his #55, i had to dig deep--i knew i was already getting "olded" by straka up front, but that hazy semblance of youthful pride did not want me to get beat by someone two age groups above me (not that i'd be ashamed of getting beat by nat--he is clearly on the short list of best masters runners out there across all distances and ages, with a toughness and consistency that we all strive for).
all in all, given that this was only my second real race in almost a year, the adrenal rush was welcome, win lose or draw. so fun to battle (and imbibe a few with) these dudes, and lucKY2b in a sport that despite our ages, keeps me looking forward and forward looking...
stay healthy my friends,
cush