I Survived the Spurs 5k

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 1:08 pm

by Samr 
SpursCentral.com 
 
 
 
After much anticipation on the behalf of a few, brave souls, the day had finally come. Saturday March 26, 2005- a day that will live in infamy. For the rest of this article. Past experiences have taught me that I am not good at directions. I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. with the goal to leave at 6:45. This would leave me with an hour to get from my house to the Quarry where I would then meet up with an undetermined number of fellow SpursCentral members and drive down to the SBC Center. 
 
After arriving 45 minutes early, I proceeded to drive laps around the Quarry shopping center. Really, there’s not a whole lot to do at 7:00 in the morning. SpurLoca and her friend arrived around 7:40 with Jackie(Blondie4Spurs) and Kristin(kmgoSpurs) coming in shortly thereafter. The weather was nice, the wind was blowing, and we learned that Quarry Shopping Center security is lax at best. Really, if you ever have the urge to pull out an entire lock of hair and throw it on the ground, that’s the place. 
 
The SBC Center was surprisingly crowded. I’d guess there was maybe 500-600 people there, if not more. Walking to the SBC Center, I learned that people actually find Rasho Nesterovic “attractive.” I will withhold the names to protect the guilty, but I swear Kristin, Jackie, and expecially myself are all innocent. Unfortunately, the race organizers decided it would be best to ignore the instructions they sent to the media, and instead allow race-day registration, dogs, old people, and strollers. Not that this has any direct effect on me, I just feel it’s my job to accurately inform the reader. And I’m really scrapping for newsworthy stuff here. 
 
Brent Barry showed up, feeling safe for the first time in a while to make a public appearance after his performance last night. After seeing him in person, I now fully understand why people call him “bones.” Really, I’m pretty sure I could receive a fairly deep gash from his jaw line. A cell phone picture of him was taken because we need something to report on this site, so hopefully that’ll appear soon. The press conference is scheduled for “sometime in the future.” 
 
Everyone gathered at the start line (on the south side entrance of the SBC Center) in eager anticipation. Or maybe they just wanted to get it over with. There was an ambulance standing by just in case someone decided death was the better alternative. After waiting in line for around 5 minutes, the announcer came on over the PA system and announced that the race would be delayed an extra 10 minutes to allow everyone to debate whether or not they had enough time to run to the restroom. While waiting, we noticed that RC Buford was daring enough to come out of hiding. Thoughts were exchanged as to what would be the most effective way to let RC know he was really not all that well liked, though unfortunately, none were acted on. 
 
The race started with about as much excitement as can be gained from 500 people running in one direction. Let me give you a dead-on description of what the first mile was like: picture someone. Now picture someone running. Now picture a lot of people running. Are you keeping up with me? Ok, good. 
 
Turning the corner into <a href="http://www.nba.com/media/spurs/5krace_map.jpg">Lot 6</a> allowed everyone the perfect opportunity to see exactly how many people were more superior athletes than themselves. Fortunately, it also meant the water station was coming. The back stretch, which you will see as the northernmost part of the course if you were motivated enough to click that link, was quite possibly the most boring half mile of my life. The fact that one could actually run for a half mile in a straight line is an accomplishment all in and of itself. The massive expanse of unused parking was like a concrete Sahara desert, interspersed with people playing a massive game of Follow the Leader. The two parking lots combined to create enough open square footage to logistically take off and land a cruise ship. Kelly Air Force Base should be jealous. 
 
I finished the race tired, and surprisingly unmotivated. The combination of Jackie, Kristin, Spurloca, and her friend provided for too many laughs pre-race for me to take it seriously. I immediately headed over to the water station, took two cups, and drenched my face. See, the water station at the 2-mile mark thought it would be funny to place Gatorade in the cups. Without looking, I grabbed the cup and threw it on myself. I didn’t think it was funny. But it tasted good. 
 
The rest of the SC crew finished strong, though simply finishing the race is hard enough as it is. Hey, three miles is farther than you ran today. As we got into our cars to go our separate ways... nothing significant happened. I was just anxious to get home and write this. It means I’m not obligated to accept an assignment until at least another three days. 
 
I must say, though, if the group of people I met today was any indication of the type of people who run SpursCentral, y’all are in good hands. Or at the very minimum, you’re going to laugh. 
 
 
<img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/brentcrystal.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
Awsome. Looks like Jackie left me a present. The quality of that picture really isn't bad for being taken on a camera phone. But trust me, the height differential is deffinately greater than that. <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> (and no, that's not me) 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Happy Easter. 
 
<img src="http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9382/bunny5dp.jpg"/>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=samr@sanantoniospurs62937>Samr</A> at: 3/28/05 3:45 pm

kmgospurs · by **kmgospurs** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 2:18 pm

good recap Sam. It was a lot of fun doing it with everyone.

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 2:21 pm

I figured that would be better than "Spurloca, kmgospurs, Blondie4Spurs, and myself ran in a race this morning. We saw Brent Barry. The Malik trade sucks. The end."... although I think that's the basic outline of what happened. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Happy Easter. 
 
<img src="http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9382/bunny5dp.jpg"/>

SpurLoca · by **SpurLoca** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 2:30 pm

It was alot of fun doing the race. I surprisingly was able to keep a good pace while power walking. It felt really good to be out there with the wind against our faces.It was a nice experience that I am glad that I signed up for.

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 3:22 pm

No, I was talking about something we found in the parking lot. A lock of hair. Fake hair, but presumably glued to one's head at some point in time. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Happy Easter. 
 
<img src="http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9382/bunny5dp.jpg"/>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=samr@sanantoniospurs62937>Samr</A> at: 3/26/05 3:13 pm

Blondie · by **Blondie** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:09 pm

I especially liked the woman who chastised Vanita and had the nerve to grab her arm the process ( spurloca's friend) for saying "he's cute!" She snapped back that he was married with a son - I think she thought Vanita was talking about Barry ( hahah) when she was actually making a comment about a guy standing next to her. It was somewhat humorous. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:12 pm

What was funny is the way she described it. She was genuinly offended. We need to get her to post on here. 
 
Unfortunately, text is not good at conveying the bubbling enthusiasm those two had. Oh well. Just next time anyone reads anything by Spurloca, assume she's doing that. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Happy Easter. 
 
<img src="http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9382/bunny5dp.jpg"/>

Mutinous Dog · by **Mutinous Dog** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:17 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Really, if you ever have the urge to pull out an entire lock of hair <hr></blockquote> 
 
Are we talking about basketball?<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/argh.gif ALT=":argh"> <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/wtf.gif ALT=":wtf">

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:06 pm

You should have come, Matt. It was a lot of fun (obviously). There were enough people there that you could probably have done it three-legged-race style. On your hands. And still have beaten a few dozen people. 
 
That's the beauty in races with large numbers. No matter how hard you try, you will not come in last. I can't wait until iaapwep.com posts the race results (and pictures, because they always take a lot) so I can find the name of the person who did come in last and ritualistically mock her. Or maybe I'll just put up the results if anything interesting shows up, like if any of us are in the pictures. That seems to be less confrontational. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Happy Easter. 
 
<img src="http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9382/bunny5dp.jpg"/>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=samr@sanantoniospurs62937>Samr</A> at: 3/26/05 5:03 pm

Blondie · by **Blondie** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:17 pm

Thanks to everyone who went and donated their money/time to the worthy cause. We also got neat blue wristbands for the blue ribbon task force on chiid abuse. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

missmyzte · by **missmyzte** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:29 pm

Great pic Crystal! That is good quality for being taken on a cell phone. <hr />MistiLynn 
<img src="http://www.mistilynn.com/spurs/banner-tp.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
"It's got to be hard to defend us," Nesterovic said, "when we don't even know who's going to shoot." 1/26/05

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:35 pm

Sick, I had that exact same idea, and the thought of "representing SpursCentral" would have been mildly cool. But then I saw a certain group of people who all decided to wear psuedo-cammo t-shirts with their nicknames on the back. I made a comment that they were very corny. I think someone agreed. But I wore my Spurs wrist band. Does that count? 
 
I'll just stick to representing SC in varying degrees of journalistic mediocity by doing this stuff (in person, I don't use terms like "journalistic mediocrity"). But the three bussiness cards Jackie gave me made me feel special. Thanks! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Happy Easter. 
 
<img src="http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9382/bunny5dp.jpg"/>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=samr@sanantoniospurs62937>Samr</A> at: 3/26/05 5:04 pm

Samr · by **Samr** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:38 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>who says it has to be a girl?<hr></blockquote> 
 
Guys don't walk <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/winksmile.gif ALT=":wink"> 
 
To avoid making this a completely baseless assumption, or get me in any unnecessary trouble for making sexist remarks, I will bore you with my mindless x-country knowledge. Girls are, naturally, slower than guys. The fastest girl in a race like this usually averages in the high 16, low 17 minute area. The top guys do it in around 15 minutes. Yeah, that's three, 5-minute miles. This trend can be attributed to a number of factors, the most important of which being that women are less genetically-prone to gaining substantial ammounts of muscle. The top female runners often take the same strategy I currently imploy, yielding moderate results: if you are unhealthily (word?) skinny, but have a long stride, try not to fall and you'll be fine. 
 
Another contributing factor is that women do not have the same, *athletic* bone structure men do. While not getting too crude, women tend to have more wide, child-bearing hips. If you were to actually look closely at any female runner's stride and compare her to that of a male runner, you would see that the female will have a bit more of a "waddle." This is not to say men don't waddle, or have otherwise poor form (I'm in a perpetual state of tripping). It's just naturally easier for a man to run fast than it is for a woman. Freshman year, we had a girl on our team who was beating everyone like crazy. She was my age, and had not yet reached the fork in the road from which the formation of a man's and a woman's structure diverge. The next year, she showed up to pre-season having "grown" a bit. Her pace decreased embarassingly. I felt bad for her, but beating her no longer took much of an effort so I was a bit happy, albeit with selfish reasons. I don't think she likes me anymore. 
 
The reality of the situation is that if a guy is slow, he's simply not going to run, or walk. Except to the fridge to get more beer. The thought of "doing it for the exercise" does not naturally appeal to men. For that, you have to give women credit. They do care a lot more about stuff like that. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the entire Martha Stuart Fan Club finishing the race as one, solid mass of gossiping home improvement experts. But they're more healthy for doing it. (should this go in the "women over 30" thread?) 
 
Chances are good that, if you see a middle-aged man chugging along and pushing a stroller, it's because his wife made him do it. And his wife is probably one of those girls finishing in the 16-17 minute range, because I do not know a guy that would subordinate himself to such a degree unless he had a really hot wife. <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/winksmile.gif ALT=":wink"> 
 
Does that satisfy your informational need? I bet no one reads all of this. Watch- Malik Rose told me he wants Jackie to use the banner I made. See? Told you. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
 
Happy Easter. 
 
<img src="http://img56.exs.cx/img56/9382/bunny5dp.jpg"/>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p204.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=samr@sanantoniospurs62937>Samr</A> at: 3/26/05 5:13 pm

Maorza · by **Maorza** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 5:59 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>I especially liked the woman who chastised Vanita and had the nerve to grab her arm the process<hr></blockquote> 
 
I'm surprised the woman has a hand left to grab with. Knowing what I know about Vanita. <div style="text-align:center"><a href="http://supergino.com" target="top"><img src="http://www.supergino.com/images/links/sglink3.gif" style="border:0;"/></a></div>

Spurbanana · by **Spurbanana** on Sat Mar 26, 2005 6:22 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>so I can find the name of the person who did come in last and ritualistically mock her.<hr></blockquote> 
 
who says it has to be a girl? <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/devilfire.gif ALT=":devilfire"> <img src="http://img65.exs.cx/img65/9510/timmysig8qs.jpg"/>

I Survived the Spurs 5k - results and stuff!!!