Perfect day for a race, 60s and overcast. Small local TN race, didn't look like there was any ringers to lose to. One young brother combination but we started and I ran with a muscled dark Asian guy behind the two brothers. I told him we were the hounds, as we continued on Piedmont I was running easy and caught up to the brothers, the younger one wanted to challenge slightly, but I passed him before Euclid and opened up to run. Up the hill following the cop, good directions and people at every turn. I was 6:40 at the first mile, not sure about the mile marker but I was going slower and it was uphill, highest part of the course. The cop actually missed the turn into the project neighborhoods down Buchanan but he caught me going into Buckner, down the steep hill to Oakview I'd get close to him as I let the hill take me. I felt like I was running at a good pace, of course retrospectively it seems I could go faster but I was pushing, big difference between uphill and downhill, came down into where the 1 milers were entering, got some cheers. Pushed home into parking lot, sprinted in, probably a good time for the course. Feel good about it, but no competition, looking forward to getting pushed in the shape I'm in. Won $100 Visa card for my efforts, good prizes at the end, free bike rental drawing for 4 gave to Paul and Amber. Excellent local race, 1st ever Caterpillar. 4th race won in my life?
Thank you Lord, for giving me the strength to run, for blessing me with endurance and with a family that nurtures my soul. Thank you for the beautiful Smoky mountains and the town of Bristol, may you be praised by the many congregations there who glorify your name, may we come to adore you more by the beauty of your creation and the grace you show in our lives, the unconditional love and the fellowship we have in the unity of your Spirit, Amen.
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