Outclassed

I run the Marin Memorial Day 10K for no other reason than it is an opportunity to run fast. There's no chance for a medal and the course is not scenic. But the flat course attracts dozens of runners from Northern California capable of national-class performances. The race is the so-called 10K championships for the Pacific Association of the US Track and Field Association. My goals are pretty modest: finish in the top 100 and break 37 minutes.

My goal time is ambitious. I've only run 36 and change once before, but I've had some encouraging results at the Across the Bay 12K, Oakland Running Festival Half Marathon, and the Tilden Tough Ten. The first and third races were my second best times on those courses, and the half marathon time was my best since 2008. Last year I ran Marin in 37:17, so I think my goal is attainable.

Debra Cramer drives Suzette Smith and me to the race. They are making their debuts for the Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders (LMJS) race team. LMJS entered a women's team at the Zippy 5K in April, and now is conducting weekly track workouts. LMJS was a race team waiting to be born from among its club membership.

As we go to the registration tables we find what seems to be a multiplying flock of LMJS racers. All women, it seems like everywhere I look someone is wearing red with a duck logo in front. I'm stunned. West Valley can't put together one master's team in four years, and within two months of registration, LMJS has enough for three squads in one race.

I do a quick warmup with Suzette, which causes her to miss the LMJS group photo, and then find a spot amid the herd. As the race starts I dart among dozens of runners, mostly passing them. My first mile is on pace for a 37 minute finish, but I've got to keep running under 6 minute miles.

The weather isn't cooperating, and the second mile is a little slower. There's little cloud cover and the air is warm. I key on Lisbet Sunshine, who's always recognizable from the cheers from the spectators. I pass her on the third mile but can't shake her. My pace slows the rest of the way and I know I'll not break 37 minutes. Lisbet catches me in the sixth mile and finishes in 37:51, first in her division (F45-50). Just ahead of her is Peter Hsia (M49) whom I finished ahead of at the Tilden Tough Ten. My time of 37:55 places me 14th in my age group and initially 97th overall. I'm happy with the placement and figure the heat cost me some time, around 30 seconds according to a blogger for the San Francisco Examiner. But when I get home the official results place me 115, so 18 runners inexplicably passed me after the race.

Another runner I try to pace with is Maggie Visser, whom I finished ahead of in this race last year by a few seconds. Maggie had a great year in 2009, and I only beat her because she had just returned from South Africa. This year she didn't contend with jet lag and finished second in her age group (F40-44) in 37:11.

I'm outclassed here. I didn't manage to meet any of my goals, but the race is not a total loss. I congratulate Lisbet after the race. She's exhausted, but manages to respond. I also reintroduce myself to Maggie, who's more relaxed, having finished ahead of us and being in better shape. Later Peter Hsia introduces himself to me, so I am lucky to have met my three main competitors.

The race shirt is great. It's a technical shirt, light blue with an egret on the front and yellow Adidas stripes on the shoulders, giving it a retro look. This is a big improvement from last year's giveaway, a towel with a design that wasn't waterproof.

I meet up with Suzette and Debra, who joined Karen Andrews in placing fourth in their age group for the LMJS team. These are the three women who will run with me at the Tahoe Relay in two weeks.

Debra multitasks today. In addition to driving and running, she baked a batch of the homemade muffins she brought to the Across the Bay 12K in April. She knows how to make friends.