Alumni Meet '09

After missing my first-ever Alumni Meet last year, I got to make a return appearance this year - my 11th, I believe. For the first time in my memory, it wasn't a brilliantly sunny day, although rain did hold off until after the meet, while we were going to dinner.
I ran the Alumni Mile for the second time, because I didn't feel I was in good enough shape to challenge the current athletes head-to-head. My mile time was a little slower than I hoped, largely due to terribly poor pacing. I guess that's what happens when I run nothing but longer races for two years: I lose all sense of my correct pace for the mile. I did end up in third place, and I doubt I could have placed any higher even with a better strategic race. The two runners in front of me, including my friend Chris, were just in better shape. I would have been hard-pressed to outrun either of them.
Chelsey also ran the mile, picking up points for the alumni women, her first points at the Alumni Meet. Coach even told her she did a good job after the race.
Of course the best part was seeing my friends whom I hadn't seen in awhile. And being part of the alumni's 120th straight victory in the meet, of course.
-Jason