Cow Harbor Race 10K 2009: James Street is a Killer Hill

Yesterday, the clanging of cow bells started the 2009 Great Cow Harbor 10k Race in Northport, Long Island, NY. Just after our wave started to gather momentum. I looked over and saw my kids, parents and sister seaching for us from the sidewalk. I yelled over and waved my hand and told Irene to look over also. I was happy they made it to the starting line, because I told them just to meet us at the finish line!

4444 runners completed the course. It's a great precurser to the crowds at the NYC Marathon. All the spectators come out of their homes to clap and cheer us on. Many played Rocky Theme music and one homeowner played Metallica. That was very unexpected!

Last year, I was in the last wave just ahead of the 2k Fun Run athletes. The same was this year also. Those kids were jumping at the chance to run us down. A few kids did pass us just before Main Street where their finish line was located.

After we crossed Main Street with the Bag Pippers pipping away, we soon came upon James Street, also known as "Widow Hill." At the foot of the hill, a lady was shouting, "Take the Hill!!!" Like we were soldiers in some kind of war movie. Even half way up the hill, I could still her the "General" scream, "Take the Hill!!!" Irene did a great job, we were about 30 yards from the crest before Irene started to walk. It's a really tough hill and mostly everyone walks up it. After James Street, pretty much it's all down hill. We quickened our pace as soon as the finish line was in our sights. I hope the photographer got a few good pictures of us crossing the finish line, as we crossed the finish line at the same time. 1:09:42.2 & 11:14 pace. Irene placed 4006, and I placed 4007.

Both Emily and Zachary asked if they could run in the race next year, after seeing an 8 year old pass the finish line ahead of us. We were so happy to see that they were inspired.

So my 40^th Birthday started with a 5 o'clock wake time, a 10k run with about 30,000 on lookers, lunch with Irene, the kids, parents, sister and brother-in-law, a rigorous Chinese massage, dinner at the Steam Room in Port Jefferson with someone playing guitar and singing James Taylor, and a birthday cake with a drawing of my right running shoe. All of course with Emily, Zachary and Elijah arguing with each other all day, and then just before they put their heads down. They came over, kissed me goodnight and wished me a happy birthday. What else can you really ask for?