4th Annual Swenson 10K Super Run World Cup

It's Thanksgiving, so that means it is time for the 

Annual Swenson 10K Super Run World Cup! 

Swenson 3rd Annual Super Run World Cup

Swenson 3rd Annual Super Run World Cup

After 3 consecutive times, something becomes a tradition.  And on Thanksgiving this year, our "Swenson Annual Super Run World Cup" finally became that.

With new rules this year (set by last year's first place finisher, Josh), everyone had a solid shot of taking home the trophy...but my money was set on Mom.  The weather was a brisk 34 (yes, we were in Florida...WTF?) that morning and I wasn't looking forward to freezing my butt off.  But none the less, we suited up (SASRWC gear and all) and headed out to the starting line.  In normal Reese spirit, he took off like a bat out of hell and had a solid lead for the first mile.  But soon after that, gimpy (okay, that isn't nice, injured dad) caught him and the gap between the remaining three of us started closing in on Reese yet getting became more spread out among us.  With the sun on our side that day, we were finally warming up at this point and getting into the groove.

I had been in training mode for months and knew I would make my moves between mile 3-4 (which is where I caught Josh and Reese the first year).  So when I hit the 3 mile mark I decided to start sprinting for periods of time.  Really, it was one mail box to another in the distance. So no real rhyme or reason, but it helped me quickly cover some ground, pull out 2 sub 8:30 minute miles and catch Josh. With Reese just ahead (dad way ahead of him), I continued on with the sprints and got really close.  Like really really close...but not close enough.  I think that little snot trained this year and I just couldn't catch him.

As the race came to a close I finished in at 56:41. It isn't my fastest 10K time, but given the cold cold weather; I'll take it.  That put me in 3rd yet again this year.

And although Dad finished first, when we added in handicaps, Mom did ultimately take the cup (she is already talking smack about next year's race...now that is true Kelly style).  Reese took second, me in third, Josh in fourth (which is baller considering he ran carrying the winner's cup and a six pack of beer...all part of the rules), and dad in last (the whole reason the rules change, helps keep the fastest from winning every year).

Next year...that cup is MINE!

Swenson 2nd Annual Super Run World Cup

Swenson 2nd Annual Super Run World Cup

Of course we are missing a few, but it is always nice when a holiday allows for some family time.  Last year, we decided to kick off the Swenson Annual Super Run World Cup and this year, things were even more intense and exciting. 

The grand prize cup was again up for the taking but the rules had changed.  Each year the previous year's winner gets to come up with the rules.  Dad was the winner last year and determined that the winner would be based on most improved from this year to last year; so it was really anyone's race.

Dad preparing to carry the trophy.  (Another rule.  Winner must carry the trophy and a 6 pack of beer for the entirety of the race.)

Couldn't find an official 10K course in the Orlando, so we improvised a bit.  I ran the course many times to ensure that it would could qualify as USA Track & Field approved race (and it so was!).  Got up early and marked the clearly marked the trail.  Gathered the masses, explained the rules and the route, set up the mid-point beverage and nutrition stop (after having the table stolen, we had to improvise a bit), and got everyone to the start line.

Lastly, got the official time keeper is in place.  (We take the race very serious.)

And the race is off!  

The race consisted of two loops that had several passing points. The route went along a common dog walking area, so we got lots of looks, strange comments, and some cheers along the way.  And even a lady encouraging us to lose so we wouldn't have to carry the cup.  I actually think the dog walkers were having as much fun as we were.

THE RESULTS

5th Place

4th Place

3rd Place

2nd Place

Best Time Keeper Award

And 1st Place Goes To...

A drink from the winner's cup.

10K Turkey Trot Recap

Been focusing on the 10K race for about the past 3 weeks heavily; with Reese being in town and talking a lot of smack I had my brain on this constantly.  In fact, I barely could sleep the night before.  I had run the distance or further almost every weekend for the past 3 months, but still was very nervous about this race.

I went into the race with good spirits and plenty of training but lack of sleep and a nervous stomach.  I lagged behind the rest of the fam for the start so that I wouldn't feel compelled to go harder than I can sustain and get tired in the first half mile.   I passed Josh pretty quickly in the run but wasn't thinking about the Race within the Race just yet; completely focusing on being consistent and staying strong. The first mile was a little hectic with so many runners and a small road way, but it felt great and helped me get rid of some of my butterflies at 8:53.

About the 1.5 mile marker, I caught up to Mom who mentioned Reese wasn't too far ahead.  I had to remind myself to stay steady and just hope that my training would prevail and he would lose his steam.  The sun was beaming and it was extremely hot, but I pushed through and clocked a 9:00 flat mile. They had water set up at this point and it was much needed as the course offered very little coverage and even for November, it was hot.  In the 3rd mile, I could see I was gaining distance from Josh and was hoping to see both Dad and Reese at the turn around. Held steady in this mile with another 9:00 mile.

As I approached the half way point turn around I saw that Reese was just about 100 yards ahead but seemingly running strong.  He never saw me at the turn around and had no idea how close I was. I never saw Dad and was concerned he had dropped out (having spent the previous 24 hours in the hospital lack of potassium again, I was expecting him to run a little easy).  Luckily at the turn around I had some awesome back to back music come on which helped to keep the pace going.  I caught up to Reese at about the 3.8 mile mark and it felt great. I was mostly focused on racing a race I could be proud of but knowing that I could potentially beat him (just a little friendly sibling rivalry) really put a smile on my face.  We ran together for about a minute and he confirmed that dad was in fact still in the race.  I knew I could never catch him or run his speed but the thought of closing the gap helped finish up the 4th mile at 8:57.  I was actually feeling a little tired and slowed a bit with a 9:11 at the 5 mile mark. By this point I was still leading Reese and glad to be in the final stretch of the race.

Although time was last on the list of goals for the day, I quickly saw that I over estimated the time it would take to run the race...which felt great.  I wanted to pick my pace up for the last 1.2 miles to try and hit under the 56 minute mark.  I stayed focused and didn't look down once at my watch for the last part.  Just focused on running my hardest and finishing hard.  Overall I was very happy with my time at 55:51; but with a 9:00 average mile pace, I would like to see my next 10K be in the 8 minute range.

We held the annual awards ceremony once we got back home and all that participated got a sweet trophy.  I took 2nd in the fam and mine was topped with a cow.  There is no real explanation for the types or sizes of the trophies picked but it sure was a great ceremony.  There has been a few changes for the race next year:

• This year's winner must carry the cup and 6 beers during next year's race
• This year's winner will be in charge of selecting the trophies for next years race
• Next year's race will be an improvement race 

The Race within The Race

My brother has been working in Iraq for some time now but just last Friday found out that he got a job at the Space Center here in town. We haven't lived in the same town since I moved out of the parental's place nearly ten years ago...so this is pretty exciting news. With that being said, he picked up and moved here yesterday. Since he is staying with us for awhile, I got him out and running with me this morning.

With just over a week left until the Suntree Turkey Trot 10K and more importantly the race within the race, The Annual Swenson 10K Super Run World Cup; rumors have been stirred up as to who is slated to win this thing. Everyone seems to agree that the little brother is a clear leader, but after this morning's run, my spirits are lifted.  The run started out great; we were both running about an 8 minute mile for the first half mile (I was showing off a bit, because this is just a little faster than I can sustain).  About the half mile mark, I clearly slowed down and he continued to run ahead.  I'm pretty comfortable with being behind since I have adopted the policy that I am my only competitor.  Reese was kind enough at the two mile marker to wait the roughly two minutes I was behind him, or at least I thought. I turned around and he picked back up with the pace, except we were now keeping the same pace.  He mentioned at the 2.5 mile point that he was out of shape, but I was assuming he was pulling my leg.  But then as we approached the 3 mile point, running came to a halt for him and I decided to walk the last mile back home with him.  Nothing like a little sibling rivalry, but it felt good that I might not be completely out of the race.

The grand prize for taking first place in the Annual Swenson 10K Super Run World Cup; a shiny cup that holds 6 beers.  And yes, you do have to consume a portion of that after the race.  More importantly though, beating Reese, the creator of this prestigious race would mean bragging rights until next year.  Let's hope for the perfect conditions, and the will power to push through when he slows down.