Things I remember when I run San Silvestre (10K)

January 16th, 2007 · No Comments

Running a race is like living life! The year comes to an end (2006) and is time again for the famous ‘San Silvestre’ race, here in Guatemala city. This 10k event is held every year, on December 31st, so I always know is coming. Is fun to see all the characters that show up, all dressed up in costumes, ready to run at the starting line. There I’ve found myself for the last 5 years. And I always, invariably remember the same things:

Balls are no substitute for preparation: Gutsy as you may be, if you have not prepared yourself, you will flunk, BIG TIME!
There is no such thing as ‘last minute preparation’
The old skinny guy can and will make you eat his dust, don’t try to keep up just ’cause he looks old’. He has probably been running every day for the last century!
Looks can be deceiving: Good ol’ chubby guy over there, packs a punch in his step. Perhaps he prepared himself!
My knees will hurt like hell, after I finish the race
Steady does it. I always see all those guys running like road runners on the first mile, but they soon run out of gas. Nobody told them about the hare and the tortoise.
Keeping your mind on the goal, eases the pain. Right about km6 knees start cramping and it helps to focus on that finish line.
Is good to know where you are: Those 1Km, 2Km, 3Km markers are a bliss!
The good feeling I get when I cross the finnish line! Awwwwesome!
Is good to know how you are doing: I take my trusty hear rate monitor, and know exactly how the good pump is doing.
And lastly… I am always amazed at how closely a race resembles real life, with all the thoughts mentioned above, I have enough food for thought to last me the 63 minutes it took me to finish the race.