Homerun For The Homeless-Akron 11-28-2013
18 degree’s made it an interesting run this year, add in icy snowy roads through the hilly cemetery where the race is held, and you have one challenging run!
Turnout was lighter than in years past, but even with the freezing temps they still had over 1800 runners and several brave souls wore shorts and sleeveless shirts (made me cold just standing next to them at start, as I had on several layers, big mittens , and heater packs stuffed everywhere!).
The first mile was a real lung burner, but after that, you quickly adapted to the cold air on your lungs. I started near the front, and this race attracts a lot of top college and high school runners, the winner finished in 19.56 , a smoking time, but off of the winners 5.13 pace, 19.47 time from last year. I had a decent race, my plan was to be super cautious on ice and snow, but when people started passing me that strategy went down the drain.
I had trail shoes on, so traction was not as bad as I thought, actually caught my team mate Alex at ½ way on the snowy roads , tried to hang with him, but on last mile, my hopes for a sub 6:25 pace, and keeping up with Alex faded away. Alex finished strong, really turning it on in the last ½ mile.
I finished in 25:54, a 6:29 pace, and good for 2nd in my age group of 73, and 83rdoverall. I was hoping for better, but for course conditions (hilly/ tight/ icy & snow covered), cannot be to upset. A great workout a fun race, and raises money for a good cause.
Ken