Overall, it felt good to run this race today. I had planned to "speed walk" it with some dive buddies, but they all bagged on me. So, forget the slackers and full speed ahead (well, as much steam as I can muster). After mile 1, I started getting the usual doubts... "What are you doing out here?" "Are you stupid?" "Slow down, your ankle isn't healed completely yet." "I can't believe that your even considering doing a half mary at then end of the year." et cetera, et cetera, et cetera... By mile 2 I finally started to feel like I belonged out there. My ankle didn't bug me as much, my right leg was finally starting to relax, WTF? 10k people already? Ugh. Time to pick up the pace and finish strong I guess :) I always enjoy being lapped by the fast runners. It is amazing to watch these people run. I'm humbled to be on the same course, yet when they take the time to encourage me, I fell elated. Actually, someone even ran up behind me and gave me a pat on the back and told me that I looked good and to keep up the good work. As he passed, I saw that he was wearing an IMLP finisher's shirt. I was tickled pink. I felt like that kid in the old cola commercials with Mean Joe Green :) I ran into him again in the chow line and thanked him for being my hero today.

Not much. I did the best that I could do considering I'm still healing. I had to walk about 50 feet at the top of the last hill, but that's ok, I just wanted to finish strong, not get hurt again and smile as much as I could.

Walk around a little bit. That's it. I also decided that it was time for me to start "saluting" my race courses, so I saluted it before starting and after going through the finish chute. It's all about respect for your opponent and until I get good enough to be my own worst enemy, the course that I run on will have to do. After I stopped moving, I made my way to the "lodge" for a couple of oreos, a bowl of chicken noodle soup and half a bagel with peanut butter. I drank a bottle of Frankendrink and the rest of my water on the way home.


Um, let's see... I'm fat and I have a badgered ankle :)


This is one of the best races that I've had the pleasure of doing. No complaints. Same comments as last time.