Saturday, March 26, 2011
Papa Johns 10 Miler, Louisville, KY
One of my favorite races is the PJ 10 miler. Love to finish on the 50 yard line while projected on the jumbo tron of the stadium.... Free Pizza is a nice perk as well. This race is also the one that I ran very fast a couple of years ago, then hurried to New Bethel to pay my final respects to one Orville Miller. In the past few years I have adapted some mystical beliefs combined with my christian background and am a firm believer that there are spirit guides and powers of the universe that we dont understand... there are powers that look over us in trying times, dangerous times, and when we face the many adversities of life. I feel Orville's presence a couple times each year... and one is always around this race... its strong, warm, and very pleasant... he is happy with his life on earth and even more with the afterlife... and very pleased with his accoplishments as well as the family he left behind... Its very odd that this year as I stood at the table to pick up my packet in the Brown and Williamson club at Papa Johns stadium.... my cell phone rang as the lady handed me my bib number... Yes, it was one Karl Miller, Orvilles grandson... Amazing, it was like Orville himself wishing me luck... here is your sign. so many signs in this world and sometimes we are just too busy to see them. I also picked up about 10 lucky pennies this day... I consider pennies on the ground as blessings from above... always pick these pennies up! Anyway, to make a long story short: I was not feeling prepared for this race... I was 11 pounds over my idea race weight... was not logging the required training miles nor doing the core work.... and sure wasnt eating and drinking properly... Also, it was about 39 degrees with a 15 mph wind and I hadnt done any hill work in preparation for Iriqois park... Nonetheless, I toed the line to do my best.... I finished in 1:17:08. Average miles of 7:43. Well pleased with the race. Finished 510 overall out of 7,013. Not bad for an old bald overweight bum.... Also, at mile 6 on the last hill in Iriqois I was visited by Orville giving me the thumbs up... Crazy, I know... but true. This race may have rejuvinated me for some summer training to get back in shape... Rock on men... enjoy the story.
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3 comments:
What a report! I smiled and I cried. Sometimes I wonder if we aren't better off not putting so much pressure on ourselves to train. There's a lot of pressure and guilt built into trying to keep up with a daily training regimen that includes physical, mental, and nutritional criteria. I think your effort is proof that sometimes it's good to go into a race with little expectation and just for the thrill of the race. Keep it light, keep it fun, perhaps don't forget to keep it a little spiritual, and let the race evolve as it will.
Great work, Dino! And thanks for the nice memories of Gramps. You couldn't pick a better running guide. And I know for a fact he also liked his pizza.
inspiring man...no question the big guy was looking down on you!
Dino, that was a great report. It was inspiring on so many levels. It's nice to know there is always someone our there looking out for us. Great race, hope to hook up soon for some riding.
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