-- 2320 UTC

So, I finished a 8K race today.  The Buffalo Shamrock Run.

I'd been on a race hiatus for a year, since racing had become a job for
me rather than running being fun.  And, I wanted to keep it fun.

The side effect?  I essentially stopped running, since i had nothing to
train for, so the motivation to run left.

For the past couple of months, I've bitten the bullet, registered for the
Shamrock Run, and took too it.  Now, that being said, I wanted to run, but
the weather has not been very cooperative.

And, I'm not making excuses here.  We've had 3 snowstorms, with driving
advisories, so no gym.  And, obviously no running outdoors, due to safety.

And then mix in there, I've been sick at least 6 times since Christmas.
And not "Aw I feel a little out of it..."  I mean, really sick.  One of
those times, I was so sick, I called into work, after going to bed early,
and slept until noon.  And then I still felt like crap, and constantly
coughing, from the chest, pulling up all sorts of crap for a week.

But, back to today.  My time wasn't as fast as I'd like (At one point I
was running a 8:10 min/mile for 10 miles), but not as bad as I thought it
was going to be.

I expected an 11 min/mile, if not worse.  I got a 10:26 min/mile.
Breaking 10 min/mile for the Corporate Challenge (3.5 miles) should be
easy.  I think at this rate, doing the 15K race over summer should be a
doable goal.

It's helpful I don't have to relearn lessons I had to at first (ie, get
good shoes, what running form is, etc etc), and I knew not to fall into
the traps of races (Sprinting out of the gate, for example).

One thing did amaze me still:  A 5 mile run, and people are nomming on gu
packs and "race fuel".  It's 5 miles folks.  You don't even need water for
this lol

One thing that tripped me up:  A guy wearing short (3" inseam) running
shorts, a tank top, and a full faced balaklava...  I was confused at that
point.

All in all, I had fun.  No beer at the end, because since I am a slow
runner, the tent was packed, and I already had gotten a free Red Bull from
the Red Bull Girls.  So, went back to the car, and packed up to go home.

Then End. :P