Good times... Good times. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do this race earlier in the week. Didn't really want to spend the money required. I couldn't pass up a 5k through downtown Del Rio though. Rebecca also decided to do it last minute and I am glad she did. During our warm up I had to go to the bathroom in HEB. Their bathroom was way in the back through doors that customers don't think they can go in. They were out of toilet paper so I had to use the paper towels. Those don't flush very well. I ran away. Back to the car I changed into my flats. It has been a while since I sported those puppies but it's a 5k... What's the worst that could happen? At the start line I found 2 of my buddies. One was the guy who beat me 2 weeks ago at the Halloween 5k and another was a friend of mine who ran cross country at his HS. We collectively agreed that about a 6 min first mile would be good. I love 5k's... I feel so alive at the starting line... Rebecca was a couple of people behind me. She might as well have just started next to me. We took off and ran three abreast. There were 3 guys out ahead of us. One of them was running real weird-like. I took off and I said, "We'll see him soon." Sure enough we caught him nearing a mile and passed him. He bolted past us again for about 20 seconds and I passed him again. He was gone after that. I felt GREAT during the first mile. I was listening to the breathing of the guy next to me. It sounded somewhat labored so I figured he would fall back pretty soon. I went out very comfortably and my body just naturally sped up with each minute. I thought the guy who beat me 2 weeks ago would be creeping up soon but I didn't hear him. I passed a guy with an ironman logo on his calf and then I was just focused on the 1st place guy. He was a cross country kid around 17 I think. I was slowly gaining on him so I just relaxed and kept pace. I caught him at a mile and half and passed him. After that it was just me and the biker man. It was super quiet. I never looked back but I didn't hear anyone. Just to make sure I kept my pace increasing as much as possible. The course was awesome! Lots of flat or downhill. There were two small uphill portions but they were a sinch. Came around the bend and kicked it downhill to the Red Bull arch. I seriously loved every single second of that race. I would say it was my favorite 5k up to this point. Great course and I felt really good. After I crossed I went back up a bit and sure enough the wifey came strollin along bein all beastly and stuff like she does. I cheered and ran next to her. After she crossed the bike man asked if she was my wife. Tee hee. Yes... Jealous? I would be ;) She got a 20:23. Her blog says (3 miles) We drove it in the car and it was maybe like 50 meters short of 3.1 so yeah... Winner. Talk about a fun race. It was really fun at the awards when they announced the 1st place overall female followed by the first place overall male. The Sondrups don't mess around. Pretty big race for this li'l town. Got some sweet wooden bull head plaques to put up too. Good times. | 