superstitions...

Last night I was laughing at myself (as I frequently do) about all of my various and sundry pre-race superstitions:

1) odd bib numbers are best
2) breakfast has to be set out the night before-- packet of instant oatmeal, black bowl, spoon inside the bowl with the handle to the left, banana to the left of the bowl, everything on the counter opposite the sink
3) timing chip on the left shoe
4) a can of diet pepsi with breakfast... but always leave a little bit in the can
5) always carry some sort of talisman during the race; they vary because their luck can run out

This morning's Race to Wrigley was a first for me. We took the El because parking is insane up there. Weather was overcast and cool, but very humid. Something's wrong with my Garmin so I ran with my iPhone using the RunKeeper app to time myself. The irony that a free app does the exact same thing as my $300 (broken) Garmin does not escape me.

As much as I run, you'd think I'd have pacing mastered by now, but I was all over the place-- from almost 11 minute miles to 7-something. This is bad. Something to work on.

I felt pretty good throughout the race, although the last half mile was a challenge because I was starting to feel overheated. I wore a pullover rainproof jacket that did not breath at all-- once again I sacrificed myself for the gods of fashion-- the jacket has a Cubs logo and looks really cute.

The last tenth of a mile or so was in the concourse of the park, which was very exciting. Then we exited by the famous marquee and finished just outside. I came in at 29:42, which is 9:35 minutes per mile. My second best 5K ever, so I was very pleased. About 4,000 people ran the race; out of 88 in my age/gender group, I finished 29th.

I wonder if it was the talisman or the odd bib number?!?