ROYAL OAK (5/31/03) -- Ten-kilometer races are not my favorites. I can ease into longer races, and run 5Ks close to all-out knowing the end is near and pain will not last much longer.

But 10Ks are in the middle, with their challenge to run near full-speed for a considerable distance. They hurt. I had all this in mind last April when one of my training partners, Michael Holmes, suggested -- or was it strongly urged? -- that we tackle the Oak Apple Run May 31.

"Isn't that a 10K?" I asked with trepidation.

"Yeah," he replied, adding it would be a good test of our early-season fitness.

This is a key for Michael because his long-term goal is Iowa's Quad City Marathon in September. The Oak Apple would be the start of his serious training.

Michael is, as many Michigan runners know, a blind athlete. He trains regularly, four or five days a week, with guide runners. (These include Mike Rollason, Mike Hennesey and Bob Drapal, but he's always looking for more.) He has completed five marathons and competed in the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes national meets, with medals to prove it.

When Michael urged, er, suggested, we run Oak Apple, he mentioned a time goal, one I almost immediately dismissed. That wasn't because of him, but me. "I can't run that fast," I told Drapal.

See, I have a long-term goal too: to run without pain again. Last December, I twisted a knee playing with my two-year-old grandson, Michael. He's a perpetual-motion machine and keeping up with him might be a new, effective marathon-training program. Hmm, maybe we're on to something ...

Slow recovery or not, Michael Holmes is convincing. He's eager and inspirational. His enthusiasm is contagious and I was hooked. I struggled through training, with my knee gradually feeling better, until I was actually looking forward to Oak Apple, 10K or not.

The O-A annually draws close to 1,000 runners to the city of Royal Oak. Crowds like that are good for the race, but pose problems for a blind runner and his guide.

Director Elaine Tank made arrangements for Michael and me to begin a few minutes before the others. (A tip of the hat to race directors throughout the state, most of whom make similar accommodations for Michael when he runs.) There was a bonus to the early start for us: I was actually leading a race (well, technically I was tied for the lead). That doesn't happen often -- in fact, never.

Michael and I have been running together for close to four years. We don't use a tether, favored by some blind runners. He prefers a "finger technique," which involves the guide runner making a circle with thumb and forefinger. Then Michael lightly hoods the circle with two fingers. It has worked well for us, including on our long runs, which have reached 22 and 23 miles. Normally things go smoothly, except when I get tired or tense up. Michael calmly reminds me to "relax the circle" or "lower your arms and concentrate on your form."

This year's Oak Apple was no exception. The day's cool breeze and high humidity caused us problems deciding what to wear. But it was nothing other runners didn't also face. The course was well-marked and well-marshaled, important since we were the early leaders. We were able to negotiate it and water stops without trouble.

Other runners yelled encouragement and offered congratulations. At the finish, workers helped us and a timer rushed up with our official clocking. We appreciate them all. Michael went home with a well-deserved medal, and I left happy too. I had no pain, a faster-than-expected time and that infectious positive attitude that Michael Holmes inspires.

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at RMarin6424@aol.com MR