Super Sunday and Gridiron 4M race report

On Super Bowl Sunday, the day started early, with a 4 mile race in Central Park. It was cold -- about 17 degrees, with a 10 mph wind. I was ready for it, though, after the Boston freeze out. I had on a long sleeve compression shirt; a long sleeve shirt over that; a long sleeve running shell, and a running fleece. A hat and gloves. Cold weather Asics tights. I saw a grand total of 4 people running without tights. Discretion is the better part of valor.

The race, although cold, was on a sunny, pretty day in Central Park. We were supposed to get all the snow that buried Washington, but we did not even get a flake. 50 miles south of the city they got 14 inches; us, none. Odd. Anyway, I started again in first corral, but I was under no impression I would go fast or set a PR or be where I was at my "high water mark" in November. I was just happy to be out there again. I didn't set Garmin race buddy. Deep inside, I hoped to make 7:00 miles, but realized I was not going to push to that goal. A more realistic goal was to match my 7:27 pace, which had been my PR pace until last fall. So, I would just run to a fast pace and see how I felt and how my heart rate went. (Before the race started my Garmin had my resting HR at 41. Umm, I don't think so.)

First mile was fast, with about a 7:14 pace. I felt like I was really struggling though. Really trying hard to keep that pace. Second mile, I slowed down, but it was downhill and came in around 7:20. Much better. Mile 3 was a disaster. My glasses completely fogged up -- like so bad-I-couldn't-see fogged up. And my shoe came untied. So I had to stop, take my gloves off, unzip one of the pouches in my shirt, stuff my glasses in, tie my shoe and go again. But it was a good break honestly, I was kind of winded. Mile 3 was 7:50. In Mile 4 I just wanted the race to be over really, and call it a day. Ended up in 7:26. Total time: 29:54, for net pace of 7:28 per mile. 900th place out of 5200 runners. Eh.

I give myself a B- for the run. But I am very, very glad I did it. It really dispelled the memories of Boston, and how unpleasant that cold run was. This one was just a nice run, albeit labored, in the chill.

Saturday night we went to see "Up in the Air." I was a little disappointed. First, Geroge Clooney looked way too good for the movie. Everyone else was sort of unattractive and gray; Clooney can't help it if he is a movie star, but he just looked out of place in the movie. I think a no-name actor could have been tremendous in the role. And, as someone who travels and works a lot (although no where near Clooney's character), I sympathize with some of it, but I also have a loving wife and family, so another part, I just didn't. I give the movie a B.

Super Bowl Sunday (after the run), I made fresh Guacamole and Super Bowl Jambalaya (with Dixie Beer, which is not easy to find in these Yankee lands) for some friends. I forgot to put lime juice in the guac (which I think only I noticed), so I thought it was only good, not great. I give it a B. (Detect the theme of my day?) The jambalaya was OK, even if it was a big hit with the crowd. I tasted it and though, eh, it could be so much better. I give it a B-.

All in all, a thoroughly average day. But, all things considered, that is sort of life, no? We can't have every day with a PR followed up with the best food ever. And what is so average about a race, with a home cooked meal made with my kids, served to a crowd of friends, drinking Dixie Beer watching the Super Bowl?

That gets an A+.