I set my alarm for a 5:45 breakfast etc. It didn't work. Luckily I woke on my own just after 6, downed some oatmeal and jogged to the start to register. It was $15 with no shirt, which was lucky. The guy at the adjacent table got charged $25. I ran around and back home to use the bathroom and pin my bib, arrived at the start with 2.5 miles of warmup and 10 minutes to spare. I got a spot near the front with some really fast people and some really slow people, including 7 year olds. They really should seed this start, as it's quite congested with two early turns on clogged, narrow streets. The gun went off, away we ran. Around 50 people passed me, which was fine. I didn't want a jackrabbit start or to step on anybody. Sorry to the lady I hip-checked--it was an accident. After getting around the corners, I began picking off the rabbits. The third turn heads east up a hill, where I moved into the top 20. Mile 1 split was 6:14, including the start and hill, so I felt good about that. Mile 2 is rolling. I looked down at my new watch for a split, but I hadn't started it. In the 3rd mile, I was trying to keep everyone behind me. I picked off two runners by the finish, and as I turned the corner into the final straightaway, I couldn't see what the clock said because I didn't want my spectacles bouncing up and down. I don't know how girls stand it. As I got closer (to puking) I could see 18:xx, and knew I would p.r. by a bit. I crossed at 18:44, shaving 20 seconds off the memorial day race. During the downhill sections, I remember telling myself to not coast, and keep pushing, I would want the seconds. It was nice to pick them up. I nearly puked a couple times at the finish, but managed to keep it down. 1st and 2nd came in at 15:07 and 15:14. I wish I could have watched them race. Afterward I did a 3 mile cooldown, followed by breakfast and a typically lame parade, aside from the Veterans, Flags, Marching bands and flyby. For a final sentence fragment I choose...An exhilarating morning. | 