Last night I called one of my running friends to see if he wanted to run a 10 or 11 miler today. He said he was volunteering at a local 5K. Hmmm...a local 5K, I haven't run one of those in forever. Maybe this is just what I need to build the confidence a little for the 10K next Thursday. I asked my boys (Ethan 6, and Christian 5) if they wanted to run a 1 mile race -- they were excited! Woke up this morning it was drizzling and about 55 degrees. I thought it might keep some of the competition away and maybe, just maybe the boys might get AG awards.I asked them again this morning if they were still interested, half hoping they would change their minds, but they wanted to... Got to the race about 1 hour before race time, signed up, got bibs and chips for all of us. My 6 year-old was so antzy---he was determined that he was going to win the 1 mile run. The gun for the 1 mile race went off at 9:00 -- Ethan took off like he was doing 100 yard dash. I stayed back with Christian. We ran for a while, and walked a bit. Ran some more, walked a bit...and watch Ethan run along ahead (I was a little worried -- both boys have mild asthma, and I wasn't sure what the cool, moist air was going to do to them). Christian definitely had a little difficulty. But, we walked when we had to and ran when we could. Ethan finished 4th in the 8 and under AG with a 9:18, with Christian and I a little further back in about 12:15 (his chip didn't work, we never got an official time for him). I was so proud of them!!!! At 9:30, it was my turn. I haven't run a whole lot since SGM -- I've been nursing a bad case of shin splints on my right leg. I haven't run a 5K since New Year's Day. I knew I could probably do 7:30-8:00/mi, but wasn't hoping for much better. I went out with what I thought was an easy, maintainable pace...hit the first mile in 6:38 (I swear I felt like it was more like 7:38). The second mile had a pretty good uphill section, and I managed to pass a couple people. (7:04 split) I still felt pretty good. With about 1/4 mile to go, in an uphill section a woman passed me...I just let her go..but not for long. With about 200 yards to go, I kicked it up a notch, as she was waving to her fans, I flew past her!!! No getting chicked today....she'd just been Geasered!!!! Anyway, I shocked to see the clock at 20:05 when I crossed the line. I ended up 3rd in my AG, and got a nice little trophy. This was very unexpected...but a bonus for a wonderful morning. I checked my Garmin, the course was about .1 miles short!!! Oh well, I still would have gone sub 21:00 -- and I'm just thrilled with that. I'll post the pictures later.
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