The Crim

Today was the Crim. All agreed this was the best running weather we've had in a long, long time. It was sunny, yet cool enough. I don't know about the humidity, but I did "schweat" a lot, as usual. I think there was a new 10-mile record number of participants, more than 10,000. And, I'd think, the total number of participants for all races was also close to, if not, a new record, too.

Hats off to Deb Kiertzner and the rest of the Crim crew for yet another wonderful Crim. It was a great race and morning.

And we seemed to agree that the city of Flint turned out in greater and more enthusiastic numbers this year. People were all over the place, loud and cheering. I particularly enjoyed the "cheerleader" who stood in the street just past mile one and then again on Saginaw, giving us his high fives and encouragement.

On a related note, I turned in a history of the Crim as an article to a certain publication (NOT the one where it is currently available for viewing, that's not it). It was rejected because it was too long. That's fair enough, given I really did have it almost three times as long as its requirements. But the editorial board thought it was like an informercial, too positive and too upbeat. I refused to make it sound any less positive or upbeat; I won't do it. And, if any of those people had been on the streets of Flint this AM, well, they'd know exactly what that article was trying to convey.

I remain amazed at the wheelchair racers, just amazed. Some of the hand crankers finish 10 miles in under 30 minutes!!!! My blind buddy ,Michael Holmes, and his guide Bob Drapal ran pretty well themselves. Michael was the first blind runner (and we won't mention he was the only one!). But he did run pretty well. Doug Goodhue, either 67 or 68 years old, ran a 63 something. Wow!!!!! I wonder if he took the subway, a la Rosie Ruiz???? What a great run!

I never got into a groove, never really felt good. But I never really felt bad either. It was a workman-like run for me. I tried a new type of training, didn't really rest/taper like I wanted this week, and haven't been getting much sleep. That said, I was very happy with my run and my effort. It was a great AM. The Crim remains one of my favorite races. Of course, I'll be back.

And, I'll be on Michigan Runner television with an interview of about 10 minutes taken before the start. I wonder how nerdy I looked and sounded. We'll see....

Thanks again to Deb K and all of the workers. It was a great time!!!!