A little jogging and stretching, playground w Jo. This is what 1.5 years of no running looks like.
Started off easy, a few dogs and sprint/walkers ahead, walked at first left after park, found a marine shirt lady to keep track of. Jo & Grandpa said hi just before mile (straight right after park, around 9:30? pace). Walked and side-stepped, hip hurting, was feeling bleak, man passed who I kept in my sights the rest of the race. Somewhere here the self talk (just jog, you can walk on the uphills) finally matched my body as I my right hip finally got the message. Jogging was finally a matter of will and breath, not pain. Passed another buck walking on the downhill, came to 200 ft puddle in the road, walked on the left where marine lady took slower right so I passed her. Counted myself as 15th? Bill Cobler was in 2nd to a younger guy who ran 19:38.
After turnaround let marine lady pass back as I walked around puddle. Paced to the top of hill where I figured to catch guy and lady on the downhill to park. Dad and Jo said hi again 1/4 mile from park. At that point I was pushing my breathing but I did catch her who had roped up blue guy. But then slow on the uphill, they pulled away, turned right and would have caught lady but went straight rather than turn to chute.
Thanked her for the pacing. Didn't stick around long, coffee and donut and showed Dad Lifeline building project on way home.
God is good ... all the time.
| 