I Can Create A Running Analogy for Any Life Situation

It's a little hard to believe that it was only last year that I ran my first half-marathon. I've run 5 since then, but the Just Cuz this past weekend was my first same-race repeat.

Compared to last year, this year I was 12 pounds lighter and 22 minutes faster. The two statistics kind of go hand in hand, I suppose.

This is Liza and I pre-race.

Every year the race has a theme (and also an end of race craft). It's a silly thing, really, but people take it very seriously. Last year I was too worried about finishing to think about a costume, but this year Liza and I embraced the Wild West theme and ordered socks that looked like cowboy boots.

I will say this: this course has many more hills than I remembered. I think it would be fair to classify it as 1.5 miles of downhill followed by 11.6 miles of rolling hills.

This is our friend Barry. He ran the race dressed like a sheriff, and his costume included SPURS. Also, he is fast. So while I was unable to beat the Sheriff, I narrowly missed beating a man dressed in red long underwear, and DID beat General Custer.

Liza beat everyone but the Sheriff.

I'm mainly posting this picture because I'm surprised at how thin I look.

I'm pretty sure it's the bib placement.

I raced my way to a new P.R.

I wanted to break into the 1:40's, so technically I cut it pretty close.

I'm actually thrilled that I made my goal, especially considering that the course was more difficult than I anticipated.

Because Liza and I are OCD runners, we analyzed our performance for about twice as long as our respective race times. I came in 62nd overall out of 279 runners and 15th in my age group of

of 79. Liza finished fourth in our age group at 1:43 and some seconds.

Here's some things that I know about running:

1. Running changes the way you think about life. I apply "running lessons" all over.

2. I'm amazed at how many dividends result from short-distance speedwork. All those hill repeats paid off in this race.

3. I'm surprised by how long I can maintain a pace that is uncomfortably hard.

Like an hour and 49 minutes, to be exact.
4. Apparently you get fewer blisters wearing socks that look like cowboy boots instead of fancy and expensive running socks.

5. I can't believe that someone as old as I am can keep getting faster.

So, all in all, I'm happy to end the year on this race.

A final note: I'm sore. Real sore. I've taken a ton of Advil. I'm quite certain that my blood is so thin that if I cut myself my blood would just evaporate.