1999 Cornfest 10k
Cornfext 10k
DeKalb, IL
August 28, 1999
Last Saturday I ran the Cornfest 10k in DeKalb, IL. I had two plans for this race. If, after about 2-3 miles I felt good, I would make a strong effort and try to PR; if I felt that it wasn't going well, I would slow down and take it easy. The next day I would be running an 18 mile LSD, so if the race wasn't going well, I would then not trash myself for the LSD. My goal was sub-59:48, which is my current PR.
On Saturday morning I made the 45 mile trek to DeKalb-a pretty boring drive on country roads through corn fields. I made it to Christie's apartment by 7:20am, and we left for the race shortly after that. The weather was probably in the mid-70's with high humidity. Not good race conditions. Christie and I ran about a ½ mile for a warmup and the 8:30am starting time came fast and we were off. Christie went ahead (we ran together last year, but she's gotten a bit faster and I've gotten a little slower), and I stayed behind, trying to aim for a 9:45-9:50 mpm for the first few miles.
Well, by the third mile, which was 10:08 and actually felt like a 9:45 mile, I decided to take it easy the rest of the race to conserve my legs for the LSD. It was just too dang hot. I swear it felt like the temp was near 80 degrees or more, but I could have been imagining it because of the high humidity and the blazing sun. Lots of people were walking, which is always infectious when conditions are not good. Though, I really like this race for its community support which was evident during the race this year-I think I saw at least 10 sprinklers set up along the way so we runners could cool down, and some residents were out cheering. During the last mile I was blessed with the presence of local speedster Penguin/Dead Tom Soliday, who ran with me for a few minutes-thanks, Tom! Also, I know I saw ChiADead Chrys Knight during the race-we were close to each other throughout the entire race, but I didn't want to bother her because she was wearing headphones and looked like she was "in the zone," as we all were, just trying to survive!
When I saw the high school, near the finish, I sped up a little, leaving some space between myself and the person in front of me so that ChiADead Ken Wilson (who was working the finish line) could spot me ;-), and finished in 1:44:44 (1:44:49 clock), which is a few seconds faster than my PW. As I was finishing, Ken announced "And there's #52, Chicago Area Dead Kelly Roe, who ran the Bird Attack 10k two weeks ago!" Cool! Thanks, Ken!
I found Christie after the race-she also was about 3-4 minutes off her goal time-and we chowed on the post-race goomies. I also saw Tom Soliday again and we chatted for a little bit, and went over to the finish line again to chat with Ken. All in all, despite the really poor performance, I had fun.
After the race, Christie and I spruced up and then headed over to the Cornfest, and ate some free corn and walked around. It was definitely not a good day for racing-even while we were standing around I was sweating like crazy. I spent a little over an hour there and then headed home. Yep, the race was a bomb, but I had fun anyway. :-)
DeKalb, IL
August 28, 1999
Last Saturday I ran the Cornfest 10k in DeKalb, IL. I had two plans for this race. If, after about 2-3 miles I felt good, I would make a strong effort and try to PR; if I felt that it wasn't going well, I would slow down and take it easy. The next day I would be running an 18 mile LSD, so if the race wasn't going well, I would then not trash myself for the LSD. My goal was sub-59:48, which is my current PR.
On Saturday morning I made the 45 mile trek to DeKalb-a pretty boring drive on country roads through corn fields. I made it to Christie's apartment by 7:20am, and we left for the race shortly after that. The weather was probably in the mid-70's with high humidity. Not good race conditions. Christie and I ran about a ½ mile for a warmup and the 8:30am starting time came fast and we were off. Christie went ahead (we ran together last year, but she's gotten a bit faster and I've gotten a little slower), and I stayed behind, trying to aim for a 9:45-9:50 mpm for the first few miles.
Well, by the third mile, which was 10:08 and actually felt like a 9:45 mile, I decided to take it easy the rest of the race to conserve my legs for the LSD. It was just too dang hot. I swear it felt like the temp was near 80 degrees or more, but I could have been imagining it because of the high humidity and the blazing sun. Lots of people were walking, which is always infectious when conditions are not good. Though, I really like this race for its community support which was evident during the race this year-I think I saw at least 10 sprinklers set up along the way so we runners could cool down, and some residents were out cheering. During the last mile I was blessed with the presence of local speedster Penguin/Dead Tom Soliday, who ran with me for a few minutes-thanks, Tom! Also, I know I saw ChiADead Chrys Knight during the race-we were close to each other throughout the entire race, but I didn't want to bother her because she was wearing headphones and looked like she was "in the zone," as we all were, just trying to survive!
When I saw the high school, near the finish, I sped up a little, leaving some space between myself and the person in front of me so that ChiADead Ken Wilson (who was working the finish line) could spot me ;-), and finished in 1:44:44 (1:44:49 clock), which is a few seconds faster than my PW. As I was finishing, Ken announced "And there's #52, Chicago Area Dead Kelly Roe, who ran the Bird Attack 10k two weeks ago!" Cool! Thanks, Ken!
I found Christie after the race-she also was about 3-4 minutes off her goal time-and we chowed on the post-race goomies. I also saw Tom Soliday again and we chatted for a little bit, and went over to the finish line again to chat with Ken. All in all, despite the really poor performance, I had fun.
After the race, Christie and I spruced up and then headed over to the Cornfest, and ate some free corn and walked around. It was definitely not a good day for racing-even while we were standing around I was sweating like crazy. I spent a little over an hour there and then headed home. Yep, the race was a bomb, but I had fun anyway. :-)
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