CIM (California International Marathon) Relay -

Team Catch Me If You Can!

^DISTANCE:  26.2 Miles

^{PLACE & TIME:}   Place, Open Coed; 21st, Overall

3:27:28

This was the relay that almost wasn't.  There was a deadline to sign up and I missed it.  I contacted the relay race directors and asked them to put us on the wait list.  They emphasized that it was long shot.  I also asked my local running friends if they could help me find spots on a team or help me get my team in.  I prayed and had a content heart.  God graciously opened the door and a spot became available!  Thanks God!

I recruited my neighbor, and new running buddy, Courtney to be on the team.  This was to be her 3rd race ever and to top it off, we gave her the longest and the most rolling part of the course. She was up to the task and excited to see what she could do.

The day before the race, Saturday, was crazy!  While Troy was in Fremont working, we had a fire in our yard...yes a real fire started by oily rags...oops!!  The Lord was truly watching over our house!  The fire was at the perfect time in the morning that our wonderful neighbors, the Malicoats, could witness it and alert me.  If it was at night, it would have made a B-line for Ariel's room.  And, there was minimal damage...just a few trash cans and well, oily rags.  Thanks God!

Troy, Anna & Ariel drove myself and our friend Meghan Kirkpatrick and her friend Jack down to the start...a 16 mile drive to Folsom from our house in Auburn.  There were runners as far as the eye could see and what seemed almost as many porta-potties.  The race directors know us runners so well! 

After a warm-up run with Jack and some more stretching with him and Meghan,  it was off to drop my sweats and get a spot on the starting line.  As I looked to see if KCRA Channel 3 was there, I thought of my friend Dave Campbell.  Last year we got ourselves on tv but this year it looks like there will be no race line coverage.  After a few last strides it was time to go! 

Ready, set go!  Hundreds of runners exploded off the line and pass me.  A marathon's start is usually calmer, but with all of the relay runners mixed in, there are a lot of overly eager folks out here!  I'm hoping to lower my average to sub-7 pace...a steep request since I've had trouble fitting in the training lately.  It's a straight shot downhill to the first turn.  As we are heading out I can see a handful of runners heading towards the start.  Oh, shucks, they're late for the race.  That's a bummer!  At the turn, mile 1, I hit a 6:51.  Alright!  Maybe it is possible. 

As we turn, we are greeted by the first hill.  Coming from up in Auburn I'm thinking that this won't be too bad but already I can tell that I'm a bit fatigued.  I know I will just have to gut it out today.  I'm just thanking the Lord to be able to keep this tradition alive.  I see Teresa Clark and say hi.  At the first aid station they are handing out hard plastic cups instead of paper cups.  I cannot bend the cup without breaking it so it's extremely hard not to spill all over myself.  Oh well, make the best of it.

Mile 2 is 7:10.  Oh, I hope I can at least hold this!  I recognize the next intersection as a bike route from the old Ironman training days.  I know I'm far from that kind of shape especially since I have had little opportunity to ride with Troy being gone for work and having very busy weekends.  It's a sacrifice that is small...I know others don't have jobs so I cannot complain!  

Mile 3 is 7:00.  I've had a nice downhill the last 3/4 of a mile so it made it easier to drop the pace.  I continue to feel fatigued and I can visibly see how I'm falling behind this next mile.  Here comes the 3:10 pace group running strong and leaving me behind.  Okay, just keep pushing with what I have!

Mile 4 is 7:10. I tell myself just one more mile to focus on and the rest is just doing what I can.  A guy comes along side and we chat about my Big Sur Marathon shirt I'm wearing.  We talk about Napa, an upcoming favorite for both of us.  It's a nice distraction and gets me to the next mile.

Mile 5 is 7:18.  Oh boy!  I ask God to give me one last burst of mental energy to get through this last 0.9 mile stretch.  We climb again a bit and I give it what I have.  I can see the race making it's 2nd turn ahead and that is where the relay exchange is.  I see Beth Bourne cheering for me.  She must have ran a fast first leg for her team to be down here cheering already.  I see Troy and the girls..."Courtney is at the end of the chute!"  Okay, I just have to make it down the chute.  Hey, there's Dick Kirkpatrick directing me and the other relay runners to our spot.  I push hard and see Courtney.  She looks pumped up and ready to go.  She takes the timing chip, puts in on and off she goes. Thank You Lord that I am done!  It feels good!

Troy and Anna headed off to church and Ariel and I went to meet Rich and Courtney at the next exchange.  Courtney went on to run an impressive 7.6 miler and added another race to her resume.  Rich screamed along at 6:40 pace.  Leonie finished strong for the team and was greeted by Henry (her dog).  Meghan Kirkpatrick met her long time goal of qualifying for Boston...by 2 seconds!!  Way to go girl!  She had fun running with her dad, the legendary Dick Kirkpatrick, for part of the time.  It was a fun time for sure!  We hung out on the Capitol steps talking, admiring Leonie's wedding ring (nice choice Rich!), and just people watching.  It was nice to see Warren Mine and the Kirkpatrick gang. 

After a great day, Team Catch Me if You Can went out to brunch at Team Rionie's (Leonie & Rich) favorite crepe place.  Surprisingly, the Kirkpatricks found their way there too!

Go Pete!

Go Meghan!

Go Warren!