Bastille Day

I ran a "Bastille Day Run," a 15K, yesterday. I know the actual date is the 14th, but that was Tue and not too many folks, I'd guess, were available to race that day.

It was a tough, tough course. It's hard to tell, since I am getting a bit older, but I think it was the hardest, most challenging course I've done. At least, it's the most difficult one I've done in a long, long time. (The Trail Ends Marathon and Half Marathon were tough, but I was a lot younger.) I think it is considerably more challenging than the Crim or even Hell. There were hills and more hills and more hills...up and down, up and down. The "ups" I don't have to explain, but I could really feel the "downs" on my quads. And today, ouch! I am pretty beaten up, sore and, esp, tired. I did get in a long run this AM, but that was the plan, to run long after the tough run from yesterday. But, I didn't realize the Bastille Run would be that hard.

Needless to say, I really enjoyed it and plan on returning next year. I wasn't really well prepared for the race yesterday, long- or short-term. But it was still a great AM.

I had to explain to a young lady in line for post-race goodies the idea of "Bastille Day." (So much for the high scores on the recent state history tests! Of course, the French Rev only influenced the world in more ways than did the US Rev.) Somewhat surprisingly, she didn't leave the line or even roll her eyes as I explained. When I told her the part about the mob chopping off the warden's head and marching through the streets of Paris with the head on a pike, she said, "Really?" Yep.

Speaking of young ladies, it was very refreshing to see so many attractive young ladies at the race without any tattoos. And anyone who might not find these young gals attractive perhaps needs an eye examination.

I was amazed at how fast some ran this course. A 66-year old, Jim Carlton (a very good runner!) ran 8 minutes faster than I! And I am very, very pleased with my time and effort. How do they do it?????

I have already placed the Bastille Day Run on next year's racing calendar.