Weather: nice! 55 degrees, wind 10 MPH

I've never done a time-prediction run, so I thought it would be an interesting experience. I procrastinated on sending in my entry form because I couldn't decide on a time, so I had to do race-day registration. Registration opened at 8:15, and I wanted to get there as close to that time as possible. The race t-shirt was Dri-release (much better than cotton!), but according to the entry form they were "as supplies last" on race day. I wanted a small shirt, which are usually in short supply anyway, so I figured my best choice to get one would be to get there early. It turns out that was a smart decision, as one of the volunteers said I got the second to last small.

The way the race worked was that you had to predict your time to the nearest 30 seconds. They would start the slowest runners off first, and then every 30 seconds another group would take off. The race site was at an elementary school, and they had a big clock (the kind that are usually at the finish line) inside and it started counting down from the slowest runners' time. When it got close to your predicted time, you'd go outside to the start line. They had a man there that was also counting down the time, so you'd know when to start. Basically this was a combination of a prediction run and a handicap run. Your goal was to get as close to "zero time" as possible, but to not be faster than your predicted time. (Being faster results in a DQ). Watches were banned, splits weren't given and there was no finish line clock.

The temperatures were a little chilly when I got to the race site. I was going to wear shorts, but I decided I would wear the long sleeve Dri-Fit shirt I had brought with me. I pinned my number onto it, and then decided to run my warm-up. I ran an easy, slow mile and then went inside the school to use the bathroom. The school was really warm, though, so I headed back outside to stretch. The temperature had risen by this point, and I decided short sleeves would be a better bet than the long sleeves. So after stretching, I switched my number onto my other shirt. (Good thing I came prepared). While stretching, a guy that I know (D) came over to chat with me. We hung out while waiting for our start times. It turns out I started my warm-up too early, as I had to wait about 25 minutes after the start before it was my turn. I'll have to remember that for next time.

I had finally decided on using 36:30 as my time, so I headed to the line around 38-something. I did a few strides, and then it was time to go. The start was really weird, because I was the only 36:30 runner and I don't think I've ever started a race by myself. I had a decent idea of where the mile marks were, but I had no idea what pace I was running. It's funny in that I don't think I look at my watch that much while running (and I forgot to look at most of my splits last weekend), but I really missed it. I had some of the 36:00 runners catch up to me within the first mile, which made me wonder if I was running too slow or if they were running too fast. I really had no idea. I think I probably started off well, but faded in the middle. I had some side stitch/cramping, and felt kind of blah. My legs did feel kind of tired, which added to my not knowing how I was doing. The last mile was especially confusing, as that was when I started passing a lot of the runners who had started earlier. I think that gave a false sense of speed. As I came up the last straightaway, I saw a HUGE cluster of people. I passed quite a few, but there was still some crowding at the finish. I think I might have been able to pick up a few seconds, but since people had stopped right at the line, I would've knocked people over.

I had no idea where I actually finished, since there was no clock. I headed back up towards the school, and got a cup of water. I then went inside to get some tissue, and grabbed a M&M cookie to eat after my cool-down. I went over to my car to change shirts (I was so glad I'd worn the short sleeves for the race) and then ran an easy mile. I went inside the school to stretch, and found that they were almost done with the awards. I was pretty surprised as the last couple races I've been to, the awards didn't start for a long time. I was also surprised to see that most of the food had been taken - good thing I'd grabbed that cookie, as all the M&M ones were gone. While stretching, I grabbed a cookie and a bagel (people had started taking stuff with them as they left, so I was worried there wouldn't be anything left), and also chatted with D some more. On my way out the door, I checked the results list and saw I was 17 seconds off my prediction, but was fairly close to the top 10/awards.

So 36:47 was my time today; I think being 17 seconds off my prediction was pretty decent. Maybe if I'd been able to see my splits, I'd have been able to run faster. In some ways, I was afraid to pick up my pace because I was afraid of being too fast/getting DQ'd. So for running without having any sense of where I was, I think that's a pretty decent effort and I'm satisfied with my performance.