 |
 |
 |
|
Race Result
| Racer: |
Steve Smith |
| Race: |
Mt Penn Mudfest |
| Date: |
Saturday, April 10, 2004 |
| Location: |
Reading, PA |
| Race Type: |
Run - Other |
| Age Group: |
Male 30 - 34 |
| Time: |
1:45:53 |
| Comment: |
Enjoyable run with friends |
Race Report:
I love this race, and I will probably do it for many years to come. Two years ago at this race, I cemented friendships with a wacky group of folks spanning the mid-Atlantic area... well, mostly from the Philly and NYC areas. These are folks I met on a nationwide mailing list (the Triathletes of the Dead Runners Society, or Tri-DRS or simply Deads), and they figure prominently in many of my earlier race reports. Anyway, it was good to get back and see Eric, Dave, Bob and Steve.
Last year I learned a lot in placing third at this race; I learned that I had to risk failure, of blowing up completely, if I wanted to do well. On the long drive up to Reading, Pa., I convinced myself to try my hardest--despite the lack of speed training, despite the lack of race fitness. As the race started, I thought I had taken this lesson to heart, and it wasn't until I'd finished the race, much better than I thought possible, that I realized if I'd risked just a bit more, if I'd just trusted myself a little more and gone out with the leaders from the start, that I could have won this race.
I think I have learned those lessons from last year. This year I arrived a little sore from last week's race and in the mood for comraderie, and I chose to hang back and run with Dave. I have to admit, it was a little hard watching the nervous energy of those eternal 8th and 14th place finishers, so intent on their warmups and watches. It was a hard to watch the confident, quiet guys lounge around the start with loose energy, the guys would would battle for the win. But as I ambled to the start with Dave, I let the front of the pack go, and I enjoyed a beautiful day of easy running with friends. I walked behind the crowds as we ambled into the woods, I walked up some hills, I even grabbed a Peep at mile two and a margarita at mile 8 (the margarita was strong, but the Peep was better).
And so I gained a lot from this run. Staying away from the front increased the hunger to race, but I was also reminded of the absolute reason I do this stuff: I love it ... at any speed, on any terrain. And I was also reminded that doing the things you love in the company of people you enjoy makes it all the more sweeter.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|