8:00 AM - I was the only one running the Independence Day Run this year. I think most of the Griffins got the message last year and learned their lesson about the heat and humidity. Well, apparently I needed another round of ass-kicking because I was dumb enough to sign up. In my defense, where else can you find a better deal. For only $11.00 you get to run a 5k with a good field and get a t-shirt to boot. It said to arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 so that you could get your bib and get to the start room. Stupid me, I thought that the race started at 9:00, but apparently it started at 9:30, so I got there way too early. I parked by House of India and warmed up to the registration table, about .75 miles, then got checked in and got to the starting line about .5 miles away. Went on a nice jog for a warm up. Decided I wasn't going to take this race too hard - but I did want to run negative splits, 8:00, 7:30, 7:00 - In hindsight that is too large a spread and I should have picked something more realistic for my fitness and ability levels at the moment. I ended up starting in the middle of the pack and wasted about :17 getting to the starting line after the gun. Then I was forced to pass "lap traffic" as I call it - people I know I can run faster than. I should have reigned in the horses because I have not done any effective speed work in the last six months. I ran way too fast, going through first mile in 7:14, holding on a slight uphill for a 7:40 second mile, and then dying in the last mile. I actually stopped to walk and drink from my water bottle the third mile and ran an abysmal 8:xx. I was also carrying too much stuff - the bad part about no parking near the starting line is that I was forced to carry not only my water bottle, but the free tshirt as well. Maybe next year I will look into packet pick up the day before. When the race was done, cooled down to the car, changed and just in time to see the Griffin van pull up. Parade was just okay. Went over and hung out at the Chow's aunt's house who lives just across from where Emm's aunt and uncle lived! Small world. Later went to James Taylor. Had fun with Harry, Hayley, Jonn, Emm, Mom and Dad, but concert was just "okay". A let down from JT which sucked. | 
