Get in Gear 10k Race

Get in Gear 10k Race. They bill the Get in Gear 10k as an "annual rite of spring," and today we saw one of the less-agreeable faces of spring. Moderate rain fell before, during, and after the race, with a temperature of about 50 degrees. Some people wore just their shorts and singlets, while others had tights and rain jackets. I was comfortable in shorts and a long-sleeved shirt, just what I might wear on any other day at 50 degrees.

The rain was the topic at the tip of everyone’s tongue, but I actually don’t mind running in the rain. I think it slows me up a little, somehow, but there was no risk of getting overheated or, today, overcooled. We got home and threw all of our shoes in the washer, so they are cleaned up and drying out for the next run.

The really good news, of course, is that April showers DO bring May flowers. We needed the rain, and need more yet.

Sunshine has some good photos of the event on her blog. It looks like a dreary day, but people were smiling and in good cheer.

I ran an OK race, not one of my best. Time for the 10k was 54:13, pace 8:45, 10th of 26 in the 65-69 age group, and in the 69th percentile of all 3658 runners. I ran an 8:21 pace in the recent Human Race 8k, so this is just so-so, but I have plenty of excuses (recent marathon, rain, low motivation...) and it will do. No pains, no problems. I can do better and I will.

Next year I’m 70, and if I’m still running, the motivation will be a little higher. I never ran faster than when chased by (or chasing) an age group leader. Come back again, Lee, I’m not making PR’s any more.

Interesting to be in the 69th percentile overall, but only the 61st percentile in my own age group, old farts aged 65-69. That’s because the "big guns" really do show up for this race, and so do many younger but less-addicted runners for whom 10k is a long run.

Splits: 8:26, 8:14, 9:02, 8:53, 8:47, 9:06, 1:45 (0.2 mi), total 54:13, pace 8:45.

News flash: ChampionChip Minnesota used a new disposable-chip technology for this race, one that I had not seen before (and we run a lot of races). The chip is glued solidly to the back of the bib, which can be worn at chest height. No fussing with shoe laces, no need to turn the chip back in. It seemed to work just fine, even at the start, with dozens of runners crossing every second. I think the mats were wider, too, which would allow more runners to cross at once.

Back of bib. The white plastic-foam frame around and behind the shiny tag is also glued firmly - it stands up almost 1/4 inch. I suppose its purpose is to protect the tag and also to separate it from radio-signal-sucking wet clothing and the human body behind that. Just a guess.

I'm a radio guy - I love this stuff. Wish I worked for them :-)