26 July 2010

8k Pennant Race

I caught wind of an 8k on Saturday that was put on by the Spokane Indians single-A baseball team.  All participants got a nice Brooks tech shirt and a ticket to the evening's ballgame.  I'm tapering for White River next weekend, so instead of a semi-long Saturday run I thought it would be fun to head up to Spokane with a few friends and for the 8k and game.  At packet pick-up I asked if dogs were allowed to run, and they said yes.  So Sadie got to participate in her first official road race.

Sadie's not used to running in crowds, so we started out slow to give her a some room.  After a couple minutes the runners had spread out enough for us to settle into a comfortable pace and pass people without worrying about clothes-lining them with the leash.  Sadie's so much fun to run with.  She got lots of smiles and cheers, and she did great to fight the urge to chase Mr. Squirrel at the park we looped around.  I stopped at a couple of the water stations for her because the morning was already getting warm, but she was doing just fine and was just happy to be running.

We crossed the finish line at 31:56, which placed me 10/201 (results).  Sadie wasn't listed in the results, but she actually beat me by a nose -- and it was a PR for both of us.


Sadie scouting her competition




Sadie: "What kind of fish is that?"
Me: "I have no idea."



Post-race snack


Post-race swim with Sadie


Baseball games are fun

This weekend is going to be fun too.  White River is a tough and beautiful course.  I'm looking forward to it.

Keep running!

Scott

17 comments:

  1. I love how you're toning down the racing. :) Great job on the 8k. Nice pictures.

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  2. I know - I know. I can't help it.

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  3. exactly what i was thinking lisa!

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  4. Scott, I'm so glad you have Sadie.

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  5. So that's how you ended up at the ball game. And way to use Sadie to break the headwind for you for another top ten finish :)

    Good luck at White River! Just follow Dakota Jones...

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  6. A fun way to taper. Good luck at the White River 50.

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  7. Sounds like great memories were made! That dog sounds like such a great pal. And the lake where you guys went swimming sure looks inviting!

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  8. Good example, Scott. Taking on an 8K for fun and things other than endurance distances.

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  9. Congrats to Sadie on finishing her first race with flying colours, Tess is impressed!

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  10. Sadie has to be in incredible shape.

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  11. my goal is to meet sadie in a race some day. oh, and i guess i'll say hi to you, too.

    great job...to both of you!!

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  12. Its great to see your travels around my hometown. Riverfront park is so nice this time of year.

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  13. I'm sure Sadie was sandbagging for you...

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  14. Hi, just found your blog. Going for Atacama...you have my respect! I'm from South Africa and obviously a very big Ryan Sandes fan.

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  15. Sadie MUST BE listed. Always! No discussions.
    Congrats on the race and ...for the next time please learn something more about the fishes, Sadie must know.

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  16. I love the picture of you and Sadie looking over the bridge! Good luck next week! Or wait, was that this past weekend? We've been out of town for two weekends.

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