Get in Gear 10K

 Day(s) before: 

Expo: Expo is too strong a word, but there was a packet pick up at Minnehaha Falls the day before the race. It was kind of weird actually.  The bibs were in one place and the shirts were in another far away place and I did not get a gear check bag.  The volunteer thought they'd have them the next day.
 Transportation to/from expo: I liked that parking in the lots was included for packet pick up.
 Expo SWAG: Technical t-shirt, and a fleece hat.  My Minnesota peeps will understand why this is so cool.

Race Day
 Start time: Race starts at 9am.
 Weather: Absolute crap.  Wind and rain.
 Wardrobe:  I had throw away clothes over running shorts, running shirt, and arm sleeves. I also pulled out an old race belt that I thought would do better in the rain with my car key and phone.
 Transportation to start line: Did we talk about the rain?  Because I drove to the race.  I aimed to leave my house around 7am, get parked close by about 7:30am, and then sit in my car until 8:30am.  That's about what I did.  When I entered the rain storm, I went to the bathroom, hung out in the super cramped enclosed pavilion with everyone else, and did tai chi but no walking or running to warm up.  Turned out better than expected. 

Route: Get in Gear follows roughly the Ford/Lake loop.  North in Minneapolis, over the Lake Street bridge, South in St Paul and then back over the Ford bridge.
Plan/Goals: I had a few ideas in my head.  Maybe run and don't blow up.  Maybe run/walk.  Mostly don't blow up.
Execution: I started running and I felt good, so I decided to go with a strongly controlled "don't die at the end please" pace and just kept it even.  It was fast for me in my current fitness level.
 Nutrition: I woke up and had half a salted avocdao smashed on a small bagel.  I didn't want much.
 Results: The most surprising stat on the race page was the participation.  It's waaay up from last year but super way down from where it normally is. 
 From today, I learned: The "do not blow up" plan worked well.  The race is surprisingly difficult at the end.  It's just one little stupid hill after another.  So I was worn out at the finish, but I had the energy to get there.
 Remember for next time: 7:30am arrival time worked well.  I got super great parking.
 Bonus: I also counted this as my virtual Flying Pig 10K which I feel is legit.