2010K

It's snowed just about every day so far this year in Cleveland, OH, so you know what that means: time to talk about running around in shorts!

I'm kidding, though I actually do enjoy a good snow run and have been out quite a bit in the wind and snow to put in a few miles. I even executed a plan to take it relatively easy on New Year's Eve (at one point I ended up with four drinks in front of me and had to sort of laugh at myself, but I paced very well) and rewarded myself with eight miles on New Year's Day. Nope, I didn't see a whole lot of fellow runners that morning.

But that's how it is - Andy Francis is committed in 2010. Coming off a 2009 that saw me hit my lowest athletic ability (knee surgery in May) followed by some of my highest (the relentless record-smashing soon to be described), I'm looking forward to a (hopefully) injury-free year that lets me keep the good times rolling. Let's look forward to 2010 and at the same time, back to 2009.

The racing season will likely start for me on April 24. I'll begin the race season where I did last year: the Hermes 10 Miler. Last year at the 10-Miler, I finished with a pretty lame 1:27:11, good for an 8:43 pace. That's pretty bad for me, especially since 10 miles is right in my wheelhouse, distance-wise. It was the first really warm day of the year, about 70F, and I wasn't ready for the heat at all. I got completely cooked in the sun, and it didn't help that my knee had been injured for the four months prior to the race, costing me a lot of training. That's the only time I've ever had to stop and walk during an event. I'm looking to take my revenge on the Hermes course this year. We'll see who "runs like a God."


What's after that? Oh, not much, just a short little run called the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. For the second straight year, I'm gunning for the full 26.2, this year on May 16. I ran the race in 2005 and finished it in 4:07:43 and found it to be a great experience. Now it's time to prove that my finish was no fluke.

Last year I wrote "I'm fully confident that only an injury can keep me from the finish line in the 2009 race." Well, that was sadly prophetic, since I had my operation two days before the marathon, and it's true again this year, but I'm optimistic. Here's another chance for revenge: the marathon still sends me opportunities to purchase my race photos, which are of course all blank, as if to mock me. Don't talk trash on me, Cleveland Marathon.


Another race I intended to do last year but wasn't quite healed enough for was the First Town Days 5K, held in my hometown of New Philadelphia, OH. I've completed four of these races, each taking place the Saturday of 4th of July weekend in scenic Tuscora Park. I feel like I can beat my course record, having been emboldened by toppling my 5K PR this November (read on). As long as I can stay out of trouble the night before, the FTD 5K is mine.


Later in the summer, I may look to do Hermes' "Shot in the Dark" run. I dunno, it starts at night, takes place at a bar - why wouldn't I do this?


Last year I kicked off triathlon of the season, the Pittsburgh Triathlon and Adventure Race, held July 29, in my second hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Triathlon season typically starts later in the year, at least in the Midwest, so as to give the water a chance to warm up. I originally planned to go for my first Olympic (aka International) tri in Pittsburgh (1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run), but the knee wasn't up to speed just yet, so I settled for the Sprint (half those distances). I finished, but limping through an awful 28:48 5K made it a pretty weak time. Then again, I did finish a triathlon 10 weeks after microfracture surgery, so yay me. I might not go for this one in 2009, though.


Just a week later, it was time for my A race, the one I put the most emphasis on: The Cleveland Triathlon. Last year I narrowly bested my 2008 time despite ongoing knee trouble. It actually didn't hurt this time as I ran, but I quickly realized: I'm out of running shape. I turned in a lousy 27:22 in the race, but made up enough time in the cycle to PR. Unless I'm hurt, I'm going to destroy that mark this season.


I once again entered the Lorain Triathlon, and this time notched that elusive Olympic distance. I wrote about it in this story - the most notable moment was my two-handed jam on an 8-foot rim by the side of the road where I pulled a hamstring but still finished. Hey, I'll take a 2:30 anyday.


Last on the 2009 tri slate was the Presque Isle Triathlon, held in Erie, PA. Once again we had horrible weather, including a cold downpour pre-race where we got to stand around and listen to announcements. Good times. I beat my '08 time, naturally, but this wasn't anything to write home about except for the crazy-fast bike course. Definitely an oppportunity for improvement in '10.


Tri season was over at that point, but running season was just getting started. I returned to Pittsburgh for my 7th running of the Great Race, my favorite road race. I felt really, really good before this race, and ended up posting a career-best 10K of 42:46, toppling my previous mark by over a minute and my course record by more than two. I can't remember a time I felt better headed into a race. Afterwards, I watched the Browns get kicked around by the Ravens. Let's move on.


Hey, why not enter a half marathon at this point? I decided to re-up for the Towpath Marathon for the second straight year at the 13.1-mile distance. The previous year I set my half-marathon PR; this year I didn't do much except beat that record by more than two minutes, posting a 1:37:43. Ho hum, another PR. That one's going to be tough to beat this year, though I did have a sidesplitter at several points. If that goes away, maybe I can drop another minute or two.


I finished my successful 2009 campaign at the Pigskin Classic, a football-themed race held in downtown Cleveland the day of the OSU-michigan "game." I was jacked up for this, make no mistake. Having improved on a number of PR's already, I figured I could beat my 5K mark. Mind you, that stupid 21:50 mark had stood for over 10 years. Completely unacceptable. I took care of business, notching a 20:03. That's a 6:33 pace, for those of you scoring at home. That's also now SIX straight victories for Ohio State over Michigan.


Overall, a tough, rewarding 2009 racing season. I can't wait to get rolling in 2010, maybe even try out a few new races around the area.