Aw, for God @%*'in sakes!!

...were my words as I crossed the finish line of the London Hospice 10k marathon this morning. My admonition was not a result of pain or exhaustion, although I was experiencing an abundance of both. Nor was it caused by my disappointment with my finishing time being lower than my last race. Actually, I was swearing not because it was higher...but because of how much higher it was.

The last race I competed in was in Busan, South Korea on March the 25th of this year. Same distance as before and I was only interested in finishing the race in one piece..wait,..

Uh, ok..so there is undeniable evidence that I did indeed finish that race. But look at this:

It was my first 10km and I was happy to have finished in an hour. And if you really don't believe it check this one http://seltsonblue.blogspot.com/2007/03/spring-marathon-busan.html

Alright, since that race I have not been idle. I began cross training (swimming and bike riding) in addition to running. At least something happens 5 days a week. Now, I'll be honest in that I have not been pushing the envelope hard enough to watch it bend, but still I should be in pretty good shape. Well, good enough to beat that 0:55:06. Even the last two weeks I got into race mode, went on a special diet, cut out the beer (whew! that was hard). Last night I ate 800 ounces of pasta. I mean, it was all there.

During the race, I kept a really brisk pace an stayed ahead of the pack always passing and only was passed twice. I even cued my iPod (which was loaded with heavy..heavy music) on at the 5km mark and stepped up. Man, the last k I was almost full out! So why the expletive upon crossing the line? As I said, I did beat my old time. Both were chip races so the numbers are accurate.

0:54:36...

I beat my time by 30 f#&*'in seconds. Why the angst? Technically I have nothing to be disappointed about . I achieved my goal... by 30 lousy seconds.

At this rate of progress, my great-grandchildren have a sure chance at the provincials!