Very cool run. Verrrrry cool. I'll write more later. My brother-in-law traveled to Coos Bay, OR for the Steve Prefontaine Memorial 10K each year between 2006-2008. He suggested that, as there are many runners in our family, we have a family reunion in Coos Bay in conjunction with the race last year, the event's 30th running. It didn't work out in 2009 but we all made it this year for the 31st annual race. We rented a beach house in Charleston, OR, about 10 miles southwest of Coos Bay so for a warm up I ran from the house to the starting-line in downtown Coos Bay. Rain. Lots and lots of rain. I was soaking after running 9 miles to get to the starting area (3 of which were miles 3-6 of the race course) but I was able to meet up with the group and change every piece of clothing; socks, shoes, shorts and shirt. My intention before the race was simply to run 6 miles at tempo pace. Nothing fancy, just get a good workout at the end of a 90 mile week. I had looked at past years winners and I didn't think I stood a chance at crossing the line first. Top 5 seemed right, but not 1st. The race draws in over 1,000 runners, many of which are from HS and college teams from around the state (they announced over 23 HS teams and just 2 college teams at the starting line). Also, the course is a beast. It's basically an out and back run with the final kilometer leaving the original course as you finish on the track at Marshfield HS, the same track that Steve Prefontaine set the US HS 2000m record back in the day. What makes the course tough is that it seems every step is either uphill or downhill and the entire first mile is uphill so it makes for a slow start. After changing my clothes I made my way to the starting line where music was blasting and hundreds of runners were lined up despite the crummy weather. Immediately I was reminded why I love to run. TO RACE. Excitement was in the air. Pretty corny statement but I was just happy to be there; no pressure to hit a pr on such an unfriendly-pr course, no care about placement and no nerves whatsoever. It was a good feeling for sure. About 5 minutes to start I ran a couple strides and on the last one I saw JJ Moses, a talented runner from Medford. He and I have had some good races together--in fact, it was against him that I pr'd my last 10K @ Gold Hill in 2008. We chatted for a few moments and he explained the course a bit before we lined up for the gun. The race director thanked everyone for attending, announced that Pre's mother and sister were at the start and then gave a quick countdown before firing the starter's gun. I'm not sure what happened, but with my very first step (literally--the first step I took off the line) my left hip-flexor seized up for the first time in my life. They've been tight every now and then, but never like this. My 3rd and 5th steps were tight but manageable and my mind raced through the decision process of whether to run or not. It didn't seem to get worse and I thought I might be able to work out whatever 'kink' was in that area during the slower first mile. I quickly decided to press on and push my luck. Despite the hitch in my step, I went out quick, but not as quick as 15 or so high school runners. JJ had warned me of this; for many of them it was a race within a race--who can lead for the first 3 city blocks before the climb begins? After they fell off the pace there were 6 of us remaining. I settled into the middle of the pack for the climb out of town. First mile in 5:32. We clearly weren't setting any land speed records but we were moving along pretty good given the terrain. My hip flexor tightness/pain wasn't getting any worse and I didn't seem to notice it much from this point on. The leader (some shirtless college runner) began to separate from the group as we reached the crest and began the decent on the downhill. No one seemed too inclined to go with him. While I'm not a strong downhill runner, I wanted to maintain a bit of contact and not give up on 1st place within the first mile. I asked JJ if he knew who the leader was (he didn't) and told him we should be patient. He wasn't increasing the gap and I was betting that I was a stronger uphill runner so I wanted to save something until the turnaround. Between miles 1 and 2, JJ and a few of the others fell back, leaving the shirtless leader, another guy and myself in 3rd. Everything went according to plan from that point forward; I didn't let either of them gap me on the downhill and I cut into their lead on the uphill. For the next 2 miles I ran much cleaner tangents than them as well and I'm sure that helped. Every little bit does, right? I missed mile 2 but got a split of 10:35 at mile 3 (16:07 for 3 miles). I passed 2nd place just after the aid station around mile 2 and then passed the leader on an uphill right before the turnaround near mile 3. I was feeling great and hit 5:02 for the 4th mile, giving me a more comfortable lead on the chase pack. Mile 5 is a climb nicknamed "Agony Hill." I'm guessing because "Heartbreak Hill" was already taken? I managed a 5:38 (yikes) but seemed to have increased my lead a bit because I could no longer hear the crowd cheering for those behind me. The first half of mile 6 was downhill before turning off the main street and running south toward the HS. The crowd support was fantastic throughout the race, especially for it being a smaller sized town, and the cheering was loudest as I approached the HS track. The cop that guided me along the course lead me onto the track where I ran the final 300 before finishing in front of the bleachers. They announced my name as I rounded the final turn and the cheering got even louder. I had a big smile on my face and enjoyed every last step of the run. Final 1.2 in 6:02. My PR is 21 seconds faster but I earned that on a pancake flat course in ideal weather conditions. The course is not pr-friendly in any way, shape, or form so to just miss my best mark is a huge confidence booster heading into the Portland marathon in 3 weeks. It wasn't the greatest time in the world, but I'll take it. I'm blown away by times that have been run here. Last year's winner (a guy from Australia) won it in 31:27. Incredible. It also goes to show that it's all about who else shows up to race--i.e. my time today would have taken 4th place in each year from 2005-2008. I guess the guys from past years don't like running in the rain. :) I ran 6 more miles for a cool down to reach my weekly goal of 90, then made it back to the stadium for awards. The award was one of the best I've ever received. Not sure how to describe it--I suppose it doesn't matter, but suffice it to say that it was worth the entry fee/pain/wet clothes/etc. After a shower and some lunch, we finished off the day by visiting Pre's graveside, the monument placed in his honor at the Coos Bay Visitor Center and finally the Coos Bay Art Museum where there is 2 cases full of Pre's HS, College, AAU and other various medals/awards. Also in the case was the pair of spikes that he wore when setting one of his numerous national records. Coos Bay is out of the way to say the least, but this is a race that I highly recommend running, especially for a fan of Steve Prefontaine. The End. ;)
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