I ran the Butte to Butte 10k this morning and it was a pretty cool experience. There were 4600 runners last year (most all time) and they were prepared for 10,000 runners this year with the trials in town. Race organizers were over-prepared when only 5900 runners showed up. Not too bad for a 10k. There were a bunch of fast-like runners warming up before the start. Many Hanson-Brooks tank tops, university tanks, etc. I figured I would go hard, but just enjoy the experience. The start was a bit of a joke and frankly I was expecting better from a race in Tracktown USA. We were crammed in at the starting line--most people belonged there but there was a large amount of 60 year old men, 50 year old women, boys and girls below 10 and, I'm completely serious, a 75-80 year old lady right next to me on the third line. What's going on here?! Do these people seriously think they're going to run there first mile at the same pace as the people surrounding them? Needless to say, the first half-mile was a lot of bumping, grabbing and tripping as I passed people that had no business being among the first 3000 runners. Add to the fact that every single step of the first mile was uphill. I passed a bunch of people going up and still only managed a 6:09. Immediately after the first mile mark we turned and cruised downhill. It wasn't gradual either--it was steep as could be. I don't do well on that type of layout. I hold back and my stride doesn't open up as it should. Always been that way, always will be that way. Anyway, mile 2 in 5:05. 3rd mile flattens out (basically flat until the finish) and I only manage a 5:12. The first mile killed any shot at a P.R. so from that point on it was just hold on and reel people in and don't get passed from behind. I managed to pick off 2-4 people per mile and not get passed from 2 until the finish, so I was happy about that. Mile 4 slowed to 5:23, followed by a slower 5:24 mile 5. By this time we're running through downtown Eugene and there are people everywhere. The entire course was lined with supporters which kept spirits high throughout the race. Mile 6 improved slightly for a 5:15 and the last .2 in 1:18. I was pretty beat at the end. Glad I ran and was apart of the whole Eugene experience. Tomorrow's run will be sweet as Jason and I will run the sights of Eugene--Pre's rock, Hayward Field, Pre's Trail and everything between! Good stuff. Sinister (216) These shoes are worthless....... Trials are going to be sweet tonight! The 1500 was great last night and it continues with Semis tonight. Alan Webb looked dominant in his heat..... I'm most excited for the mens 10k though. Josh Rohatinsky is going to fly
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