Pat's Run

Today was Pat's Run for the Pat Tillman foundation. It was 4.2 miles (he wore number 42) and started in the parking outside ASU's football stadium and ended on the 42 yard line inside. Before I get to details, I knew going in I was walking this. It's been a rough week w/ a sore throat and chest from a massive cough. I'm sure it's allergy related but I can't get it under control. In addition, I've decided to focus more heavily on walking for a while so I know I keep my heartrate in an aerobic zone. I need to get more of this weight off before I'm an effective runner.

Anyhow, my goal for today was to run a little bit, if so inclined, but to be a fast walker. I didn't realize how many people would be there. I mean, I saw the pics on the site (http://www.patsrun.com/) but just didn't process it. Traffic getting in was a mess and it took a while to get off the freeway and find a parking spot. My round trip walk to/from the car was a good mile so I counted that as the warm up/cool down period. I finally got where I needed to be, had just enough time to potty, stretch and then line up behind THOUSANDS of people. It was truly amazing how many people were there - every age and ability level. The race was time chipped, good thing because it took 8 minutes before I crossed the start line and there were still A LOT of people behind me. I ran just a bit at the beginning hoping to get spread out some and quickly realized that wasn't going to happen so then I just picked a solid walking pace and took off.

The course wound up behind ASU, over the bridge across Tempe Town Lake, up and down a hill (not too major) and up another road back across the bridge, onto ASU campus and then on to the football field. I walked 99% of it, running usually only when I needed to get around some walkers but didn't want to be slow if any runners came up trying to pass too. If I picked it up to a run, I'd keep it going for a little bit. I was alone today so I had music. I did visit a bit w/ a few people around me but I found that I was passing most walkers and being passed by runners, but not too many around me keeping the pace I was. I saw and briefly chatted w/ a gal who did the 5k in Laughlin last week, that was pretty cool. The COOLEST thing I saw was a gal pushing a stroller. The sign on the stroller said, "My middle name is Tillman". I told her I thought that was incredible and she indicated to another lady w/ a stroller she'd just been talking to and said her baby's name was Tillman too. I was barely crossing the bridge when people were coming back our way who had finished and were looking for people they knew...... showoffs! ;-)

Anyway, as I got closer to the stadium, I picked it up some. I had every intention of running as fast as I could but the finish line was almost overwhelming. The ASU football players were all there, in uniform, high fiving us as we headed in. The jumbo tron was showing people coming in (didn't realize 'til I was in) and it was just amazing. I know I don't have much point of reference, but this event just touched me. It was so incredible I don't know how to do it justice. Beyond that, it was amazingly well run! There were water/poweraid stations every mile and even near back of the pack, they were plenty stocked. Lines of people keeping you moving, plenty of waterbottles, even for stragglers, as they got near the finish. Well marked with lots of volunteers and peole on bikes keeping an eye on participants. I know I'm forgetting stuff..... just like I forgot to bring a camera. I don't know what my official time was but I'm guessing about 1:05ish.

Ok, since I wrote that they posted times. My time was 1:01:45!!!!!

There were 9461 finishers!!!!!