The River Bank Run Results Are In!!!

I have just completed my run and have improved my time from last year by about two minutes.

Now a few hours later, I feel good and must say I am glad I bumped into my friend Sally who pushed me as much as I pushed her. I was lining up when I saw her next to me and we agreed to run until the other felt the need for speed.

I have Sally to thank for telling me as we turned the last corner to go for it. This shove helped me get the time I wanted!

Honestly after a night before that included a wine tasting event and then a wedding reception, when my head hit the pillow at midnight I did not think I woudl be running in the AM.

I stepped outside at 6 AM...hmmm... no rain, no excuses this year. So I grabbed a coffee, a cliff bar and headed downtown.

The weather was a perfect temp for running. While it was in the mid-40's I did have to do a bit of a strip tease while running over the 6th Street bridge because I was sweating in my running out fit.

For fashion sake I wore a blue and bright orange Adidas jacket and pants. Underneath was my favorite new UnderArmor shirt that really helps wick away the sweat.

I even wore my iBelieve cap on my iPod shuffle for luck but the damn thing kept slapping around like a hell-bent nun in gradeschool. Next time I will go natural...I mean.... without the Divine Design element.

I had placed a collection of tunes to help me pace myself. I knew that if my soundtrack got past "I Love New York" by Madonna I was in deep trouble. But as it was Madonna was just starting her tune when I turned the Monroe Center Corner and saw the finish line ahead.

As Madonna wound up, I felt like winding down but instead I sprinted focusing my eyes on the sign as I sped down Ionia, ignoring the crowds around me.

And in those final seconds when my mind attempted one last time to get me to slow down, I said, "No." Volume high, I crossed the finish line full stride.

I may not have had the best time of the day nor won a medal or a prize, but I gained something I could not buy.

I earned the right to say I showed up and I did it.

A few notes from the road....

The event could have done a better job of signage, since I do not recall one sign that indicated mile marks. One runner remembered a person holding up one finger, the good one, but thought they were telling her they were "number one". It was only when she looked back did she see the sign.

And next year, let's fix that big pothole on the West side of the 6th Street Bridge as well.

I really liked the design of the logo this year.

The best part of this event was the free massages and a beer tent. Not that I stopped for a massage or the beer but if I had somewhere to place a soggy three dollars I just might have.

But yogurt, bananas and icy cold fresh orange slices hit the spot. And then I simply went home.

Until the next race.....

Event
Fifth Third River Bank Run 5k
Year: 2006
Bib: 808
Last name: ALLEN
First name: TOMMY
City: GRAND RAPIDS
State: MI
Overall: 1864 (out of 3797)
Chip time: 29:34

My iPod Shuffle "Cross" Soundtrack:
Demon Days - Gorillaz
Utopia - Sofia Loell
Illuminate - Latrice
Rise (ROCAsound House Mix) - Samantha James
Feel Good Inc (Single Edit) - Gorillaz
Hung Up (Bill Hamel Remix) (Edit) - Madonna
Sunrise (Jason Nevins Remix) - Duran Duran
I Love New York - Madonna