The Lake Monster

 Today was cool and cloudy but remarkably rain free.  I signed up for a race I have done many times - the Lake Monster 12K.

We live near a point that extends into Lake Ontario, and every year the local village has a race there as around that point is almost exactly 12K.  It goes to a great cause.

They used to hold this race in July and it would be HOT and HUMID along the lake, plus with everyone in their summer homes around this point there would be a lot of traffic.  So it has been held Memorial Day weekend the last few years.  Usually it is still too warm for Sisko, especially that distance.

I debated whether to bring Booker today.  The temperature was going to be 55 but it felt much cooler with the thick cloud cover.  When I started putting on my running clothes this morning he went crazy.

So, it was time for Booker to race again!

We arrived early and there were a lot of people there.  Without Sisko with us, Booker was more nervous than he usually is.  My running friend was there and gave him lot of pets, but he was still looking around with trepidation.

As we lined up, those of us running the 12K were starting in one direction while those running the 5K were headed in the opposite direction.  Booker appeared very confused and startled when they blew the airhorn to start.

But after that, it was comfortable old hat to be running with me.  We ran around the small park and then headed to the point.  We made the turn to head around clockwise and started to pass people.  I had a small fit of anxiety as a guy was out inspecting his lawn and his dog saw us and made a beeline for the road, but the guy caught him before he was able to intercept us.  Booker took this in stride.

We passed a few people.  At about mile 3, a woman we had passed caught up and I could hear her behind me.  I'm not completely sure if she was pacing us or just didn't have it in her to pass by but she followed closely for a long time and this did cause Booker a little anxiety.  I kept encouraging him to run, and he did well.  

About 4 miles in, the pavement suddenly turned into thick gravel - they had clearly ripped up the road to repair it at some point and had thrown this gravel on it without stamping it down.  It sucked for me, as I slipped and couldn't get a good footing, but I was really worried that this might effect Booker's feet.  I watched him carefully for any sign of discomfort and looked to see if we could move over and find a better surface.  Unfortunately the lake was on one side and people's lawns on the other, which all sloped uphill to the houses.  But Booker didn't even seem to notice that we had changed from the smooth pavement, so we kept on.  After what felt like forever - probably 1.25 miles - we were back on pavement and onto the home stretch.  

During the run we passed several people - both those affiliated with the race as well as just people out for a walk, and Booker was repeatedly given compliments on what a great dog he was.

We came out off the point and started towards the finish line.  Booker was completely unaffected by the people on the side of the road cheering  - all trace of the nervousness of earlier was gone.  Booker laid eyes on Marc who had ridden his bike in to meet us and take pics, and trotted across the finish line to some cheers.  

  .  

We finished in 01:07:59 -  a pace of 9:06 which I felt was pretty decent.

Booker could care less either way.  We had some water and waited for the awards.  Booker helped me win 1st in my age group.

Then we headed home.  Sisko's nose was a little out of joint, but he was just happy we were back.