You get out what you put in

Arrived a little late but was able to stride out a little bit. Saw a lot of people at the race and was ready to run. Started about 10 yards back from start and as soon as the race started, 4 top guys separated themselves, then there was a space and a pack of about 8 was ahead of me. I thought I should be able to stick it in with the 8 runners. I felt like I was doing the first mile fast, tried to just hang in and keep a good pace, probably started just a tad fast, but I was happy with where the first mile marker came. I had passed a few and kept it up. The course is clockwise up and around the campus, good uphill and downhill. I could see a strong girl running in a dress that was ahead and I caught her about 1.5 in, she was running with another guy and as I passed, I said, "Let's go." She stuck with me for a little bit, but dropped off and I set my sights on 2 more runners 30 yards ahead. The girl only finished 30 seconds back from me and was the first woman, Stephanie. I reeled in the 2 guys, one 24, one 19 and the 24 year old shrewdly tucked in behind me as I tucked in behind the younger. I had done some work to that point so I noticed we had slowed down, and did a mental gut check and decided to take the lead. We had entered a parking lot and as we came out with probably 1/2 mile to go I took the lead. There were 2 more guys ahead I could set my sights on but one put some distance between the other and I couldn't really catch them. As we came downhill on the sidewalk for the last drive to the finish we took a hard left turn and I almost started to run on the grass, I knew I was pushing it, but I underestimated the guys behind, I didn't pay attention to the fact that they were still right behind so when we came to the uphill sidewalk finish they both sprinted by and I mentally thought I had already pushed hard enough. Of course in hindsight I thought I should have pushed more and sprinted. So that's motivation for the future, I was surprised by the course finish, where and how (uphill sidewalk) but no excuses, do it to it. This probably counts as a good PR since my flat 5K PR is only 25 seconds faster. No 30 year olds beat me though I don't think there were any serious 30 year olds there. Peace and God bless you as you recognize His superlative grace and abounding lovingkindness which has already given us everything we need for life and godliness.