Arbuckles 2 Ardmore 20.6-mile run 2019/03/31--fast course.

Years ago Casey mentioned the existence of “another A2A.”  I added the event to bucket list.  I stumbled upon the race website again in 2017 looking for events with Raluca.  It conflicted with TIR.  A year later she raced 20.6-; I raced 26.2-mile; it was a good experience.  I was sad to learned 2019 would be the final year—so many friends would enjoy the run, but modern life priority is more obligation- than happiness-based.

_pre-race
Admore was much closer than OKC.  Oklahomans seemed nicer to strangers than Texans.  I went to dinner at Ten-Star pizza, the kinda pre-race dinner where I’d encourage Raluca to order red wine.

Hilton Garden’s wifi was comically difficult to get on.  The receptionist had to give me the “good wifi password.”  Speedtest.net refused to give me a number other than stating latency was too much.  I emailed Tom about his knee and Italian travel mates about the trip.

Drive to Noble Stadium was smooth.  Event parking was easy.  Toilet flushed solidly.  Bus ride was happy.  Pre-race activities were great.  It sucked such event had to end.

Lots of selfie activities at the start with Oklahoma's tallest water fall and comically short zipline.

[images from Turner Falls Park & Turner Falls Zipline websites]

_goal
Given the hill distribution, negative split was unrealistic.  I aimed for even effort.  Fast final 100-meter on stadium track.  Tailwind was forecasted but later than race start.

_race
I started fast to raise core temperature.  The above freezing tailwind accelerated.  By the time I finished the 5-mile out-and-back detour, I could feel the wind pushing me.  10 miles to go.

_tail wind
I started to pick runners off.  The legs told me to stay at 8:30 pace.
“forget the legs you once had; be grateful to what you have.”
This is race condition non-Barkley racers dreamed of: downhill, point-to-point, tail wind.  8:30 was a little hard to swallow.  I encouraged every runner I passed—feeling like a hypocrite.

I sweated wearing cycling base layer plus a T shirt.  I was tempted to give away arm warmers and gloves with air temperature in the 40’s.  Sunshine was beautiful.

The pace was hard to hold by mile 18.  I stopped the struggle.  I reminded myself DRC’s race was 6 days away.
“just hold your place.”
I felt unfit but was enjoying the moment.  The sky was gorgeous; I was passed by the sole port-a-potty-delayed racer; everyone was happy to see me.  Everyone appreciated my toilet humor when a guy headed toward port-a-potty.

_fast finish
With stadium in sight, a competitor came within breathing distance—I sat on him.  He accelerated with 400m-to-go.  I kicked at the final turn and easily took him before the line.

[11.12 sec 100-meter if I could hold 2:59 pace]


_#
Garmin 630
Distance: 20.61 miles
Time: 2:57:15
Pace: 8:36
Top Pace: 2:59

Official
Distance: 20.6 miles
Time: 2:57:15
Pace: 8:36
Placement: 12/46

[won socks as the fastest 50-year-old]

_downside of low body fat
I forgot I was still skinny despite being heavier than race weight; I didn’t get my coat before socializing, thanking volunteers, and accepting age-group award.  I was cold.  I rushed to my car as the 3:20 marathoner entered the track.
“That used to be my speed….”

My hands were shaking by the time I gave up on Starbucks line—didn’t expect it to be such happening place 11am in Ardmore.

Went to Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers next door.  Burger and fries stopped my shaking.  I skipped frozen custard—1 of my favorite foods.

2 days later, I failed to put on long-sleeves over wood dust covered arms from installing ceiling shelves.  I got cold and got sick.

The next day I learned Kisha injured her ankle; her spring race season was now in jeopardy.

Human bodies are fragile.