Since I couldn't be at the Panhandle XC Championships in Marianna, Florida to run the Open division, I mapped out a 5K near our bungalow on Maui and did my own race at 4:45am local time - 9:45am where my compatriots were running. Basically, the road course was down for a half mile, flat for a half mile, up for a half mile and then reverse to the start. I made the turn at 10:35 feeling totally spent at the top of the hill, and then struggled back in 11:04. Even with limited running for several days, much hiking in the days before, little sleep, and no competition (not to mention the early hour, darkness and light rain), it definitely was one of the best 5K experiences I've ever had. Travis had completed his race earlier in the morning (3:20am Maui time) and called me to share his news of a 16:39 PR, 3rd on the squad - top 4 all under 17 for the first time - #s 5 and 6 both were sick but managed low 18s to get the team a 4th place finish at this bigtime local meet. Trav then watched the girls race and the middle school race and called me again when the Open racers were on the line. It was very cool knowing that I was running at the same time as our other parents/coaches that were doing the race some 4,500 miles away. I called my time in, and Travis shared it with the team and the other More Olders - big fun! |