Bloomsday 2015

I did Bloomsday again this year.  It was the boys 4th year to race.  I'm not sure how many I've done now. I can't remember which years I did when I was younger.  I think it's about 5.  I know for certain I did it in 1992 and 1993.  I also know I did a few before those.  I wish I could remember which ones.  I wonder if there is a way to look it up.  I'm interested in knowing!

In 2015, I walked with my good friend Linda.  Her son and Xander are best friends and also stuck together for the race.  Those boys pealed off from our group as soon as the race started.  I know that Xander wanted to get a really good time.  His friend, however, is a lot more laid back, and was just in it for the experience.  They were about 3/4 of a mile ahead of us at one point.  But the moms caught up with them at about mile 6.  They were surprised!   Xander talked him into picking up the pace again for the last mile +.  They beat us by 3 minutes.  It was Xanders best time yet.  And I know that he's going to aim to beat it next year.
Nathan also ran ahead right at the start.  He was more than a mile ahead of us by the end.  He said he ran for a while, then walked for a while, then ran when he felt like it until he finished.  I was really glad that he decided to participate at all.  He was reluctant last year and I gave him the choice this time.  He enthusiastically signed up.  He's growing up.  :)  He finished in less than 2 hours and has an even better score to beat next year. 

I was happy with my own time.  I was hoping to come in under 2:10:00.  We kept a very steady pace through the whole race.  I think I may have slowed a bit in the last 2 miles, but I'd catch myself and speed back up.  I made sure I was consistently passing people.  It was a measure for me.  Always have someone to pass.  I didn't come in under 2:10:00.  I missed it by 3 minutes.  But I'm still very happy with my time.  I was 8 minutes faster than the best time in the last 4 years. 

If I really want to improve and beat those times I have to learn to run some.  I won't beat a 2 hour mark without picking up my feet a little more.  I think I should also set up a timer so that I can keep track of how long I take per mile.  I'll then know that I have to pick up the pace to make it.  I didn't use my phone to time myself this time.  I think I'll try that next year. 

I'm looking forward to a couple little fun runs this year.  I'll use those to improve!  I'm getting faster.

	2012	2013*	2014	2015
Finish Time	2:26:15	2:47:10	2:21:07	2:13:05
Time up Doomsday Hill	8:01	11:10	8:02	7:15

*in 2013 I threw my back out the day before the race.  I didn't think I'd make it at all.  I finished, but my time was miserable.