#ShotInTheDark 4 Miler

What does one do on a Saturday evening??  Apparently, on a spur of the moment decision, drive to downtown Cleveland for the Shot in the Dark 4 miler.  I saw this race a few weeks ago, but couldn’t commit because I wasn’t sure of my call schedule.  I ended up not having to work so I figured, why not try a night race and hope it’s not hot and humid.  Well it was still hot and still humid, despite it stormed last night and an apparent tornado took down a gym wall at Ursaline Collage.

I drove downtown with my own stash of water and powerade and miraculously found a parking spot on the street (free!) which was close to the start and finish.  The best part of the race?  It was put on by the Winking Lizard bar.  You better believe there was free food and alcohol available (for purchase).  People were taking it so seriously, running around and stretching….I was hoping to finish and not pass out!  I registered (and I hate paying full price for anything) and dropped my shirt off at my car and headed to the start.

Race started right at 730 with the standard “Ready, Set, Cowbell” and we were off.  We started with those running the 2 mile race, but they quickly turned the opposite way of us.  We headed over some bridge (I’d know if I lived downtown) and I was keeping a good pace through mile one.  Mile 2 comes along and so does cramps and hatred of being a woman.  Water 1.5 miles in was much appreciated.  We passed mile 2 and I saw a little kid with his dad cheering everyone on.  He got a high 5 for being Awesome.  We kept on chugging along and you could tell people were trying to deal with the heat (me included).  Mile 3 came and went and I was glad we were almost done.  We headed back over some other bridge (maybe the Veteran’s Bridge) and headed back towards the Winking Lizard.  All was well when I started passing people and finished.

I’ll take a 38ish minute 4 mile.  Heat and humidity can take the blame!  After grabbing some water, I got a free turkey burger sandwich and after a saw some guy’s cheeseburger, was wishing I went that route.  I sat for a bit on the side walk and listened to the Spazmatics.  I wasn’t hungry so my sandwich came with me as I headed home and left sweaty short prints on the sidewalk.

Really, a fun race with a good after party. Winking Lizard and Hermes have a good thing going for them!!