Lessons Learned at Johnny's Running of the Green

1. The lead men and women not only post fast times, but really look fast when you watch them go by.
2. Some winners are also nice people, like the men's winner from Saturday who stood near me and cheered on runners for at least fifteen minutes before going off for a cooldown run.
3. People take "Running of the Green" seriously, wearing green shirts, painted faces, green striped stockings and one lady in a multi-green body-length leotard.
4. My bagel cost $20. That is what I paid to preregister. This is the third race this year that I haven't gotten to the starting line.
5. Pete, I believe, was the only racer to take minimalism to it's lowest level, by running barefoot. Running shoe stores may soon kidnap him so this trend doesn't grab hold.
6. When 2,000+ people are in a race and it begins on a four lane highway, use all four lanes, don't squeeze everyone into two lanes because you set up the starting line early. Especiallly when directions aren't given to runners letting them know this is an issue. Amazing people didn't go down at the start.
7. Some parents force their kids, or encourage them, to run too far at too early an age. There is no reason for a child under 12 to be running five miles, unless that is the only method for them to get to school, like in many African countries. In the U.S. though, busses pick up high school kids 400 yards from the school.
8. I heard on the news last night we are an unhealthy city, yet every road race/triathlon/duathlon in this area is getting record numbers of registrants. Special programs at Medved and Fleet Feet Sports are booming with participants. Something good is going on.
9. Is $20 preregistered, $25 day of, too much for a road race in the city? I guess not since a record number of runners turned out. There are many behind the scenes costs associated with this race, possibly police coverage (though that may be included with the parade), rental of the Blue Cross Arena (one of the two best places to hold a race, Frontier Field the other), certification of the course, prizes, timing fees, staff, "food" (a bagel and water, that's it).
10. 6:50-7:20 pace for 5 miles will make me competitive in my new age group. I think that's doable if I stay healthy.