Race day

I just came back from a 10K race this evening - the Nike Run Hit Wonder. I was originally introduced to the race by my roommate, who flaked out to go drinking instead. However, I was able to get one of my co-workers and some of her friends to come along, so I had some company. It was an interesting race format, with a sound stage set up and a band playing every couple of miles or so. Playing in LA were Chingy, DJ Z-Trip, Fountains of Wayne, The Donnas, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Aquabats, and Nina Sky. The finish was especially exciting, running into the LA coliseum with a cheering crowd and Joan Jett's band rocking out.

The run itself was something, 10 km being the longest distance I've ever run before - I've done that mileage only a couple of times solo back home in Markham under no time pressure. Racing was a different matter, however: with the massive crowd (all wearing the same lime green race jersey) both in front and behind of you; there is no place to go, and so every time you are passed it is a mesaure of defeat. It was pretty competitive though - I was staged with other 9 minute mile runners so there was only a large amount of passing at the beginning.

I'm pretty happy to post that I was able to squeeze in just under the 60-minute mark my first official 10K race, which works out to an average of a 9.6 min. mile.