Wednesday, December 14, 2011

I win a prize!

Almost immediately after my race on Saturday, I received an email from the director, Michael Brennan, of Road Warrior Running.  I had won something!  But what?  and why?

The Road Warrior Running program keeps track of your stats (only if you sign-up), gives you a rating based on a few of your last races, then gives you points for surpassing your rating in your next race (if the race is a Road Warrior sanctioned race).

So apparently, my rating was 31:06 (a 5k-equivalent at race time) and my 28:30 finish meant I beat my rating by 2:36.  Which was the highest "beat" in all the Road Warriors taking part in this race.  I improved quite a bit in this run.  So much so that my coach has painfully increased my paces across the board - ouch!

So what did I win?

I had a choice of a tote bag or a technical hat.  So I went with the hat.

But I am unworthy.  I knocked out some very good runners from winning stuff.  Runners that improved nearly as much as I did.  It was a bit of a fluke for me, as I'm not good enough to gain points in this.  I only run about 9 races a year and not all of them are Road Warrior ones.  I'm no ware in the standings ... one guy runs a race every weekend and had 170-ish points.  I've got 12!

Anyway, my wife was way more happy when she discovered the voice mail on our home phone as well.

* * *

Here's some race photos from the event photographer ... there were a bunch ... I picked the ones that looked flattering.  In all photos - very good news - absolutely no heel strike!


18 comments:

Kenley said...

You deserve a prize I think. That is quite an improvement and that is a really cool way to keep track. A bunch of Satans running down the street. Very cool indeed! Enoy the hat. Ho HO HO!

Andrew Opala said...

Actually, I consider them more Santas than Satans, but hey - it's a Catholic thing! :)

Anonymous said...

Hold on a second...that's a great improvement and since I assume they are comparing net time improvement based on the race distance, it's an accurate measure.

Wear that hat. Own it. You earned it.

Jennifer said...

You totally deserve it! Remember how things were just a year ago? Your improvement is super and you should wear that hat with pride!

Kenley said...

Oh crap, that was not intentional. Sorry! oops. Take care man!

Kate Geisen said...

Congratulations on your win! :) You've made huge improvements. You deserve it.

I'm impressed that you actually look like you're running in your Santa pictures; usually I look like I'm at a slow walk.

KovasP said...

Congrats. I have to say, you are becoming too svelte to be a believable Satan, I mean Santa.

XLMIC said...

You are most worthy of such a prize! You far surpassed your goal :) Love the pictures!

Jill said...

Oh man, how different you look in this Santa suit compared to last year's - a good different :). Congrats on the prize, I've never heard of races doing those types of states, but I like it! I wonder if they give prizes for going in the opposite direction - I may win that one!!

Laura said...

Totally worthy!! Congrats again!

Q said...

Congrats on your prize and your awesome race! Are the Santa suits provided to the runners?

Irene said...

Don't sell yourself short! You've improved so much! Congratulations and enjoy the hat. :)

The Green Girl said...

Wow, Andrew! You are doing amazing!

mighty termitey said...

i'm your biggest fan, andrew! you've done amazingly well this past year. congrats, sugar.

xo

Rach said...

congrats on all the improvement...that's awesome!

ajh said...

You totally deserve it. Looks like you had fun at your Santa race too. I don't think we got pics or I totally missed it.

Molly said...

great photos, and congrats on your win!!!!

trailturtle said...

Hi Andrew,
Came by to wish you a Happy and Fast (running) New Year :)! Glad I did, 'cause I love those Santa outfits. Sorry I have been MIA on the blogosphere....the good thing is, I can really see your improvement from earlier in the year! And you are NOT unworthy of anything!!! That prize is YOURS!!!! The name "Road Warrior" fits you well, I think. But, dang, will you EVER get away from the "numbers thing" just for a second so you don't compare yourself to other's stats???? No matter what, congratulations on your prize; I've always thought that improvement and effort deserve more credit than absolute speed or distance. Happy New Year! Ann