The annual tradition continues.
All evening the night before, I was going back and forth about racing this, or just supporting the kids. During my provisional warmup at 6 am, I decided to go for it. I need to get a workout in every week, so this week it would be a 3.1 mile tempo run. I ran a couple before paying for my shirtless entry, and Anna's shirt included. $25
The gun went off. I was off to the side and didn't get out very well. As usual, little kids were bobbing, weaving and gasping all over the road, narrowly avoiding being trod upon. After 2 turns that was all sorted out. I passed a few people on the hill, Mile 1 6:40. Okay. I can live with 6:40 for that mile. It's the most challenging mile. But then I rolled along past the 2nd marker, and my split was identical. Despite easier terrain, including downhill, I wasn't making up any time. The third mile wasn't marked, but I pushed hard along main street. I got passed once after the midpoint, but passed a dozen. Ended up comfortably under 20 minutes.
I grabbed my water bottle, and headed back to find Anna. The warm temps and her lack of any training doomed her to a slow finish; she was much further back on the course than usual. I told her you can't run your fastest every race. It's too hot to run super fast on the 4th of July. I was really proud that she wanted to run, regardless of her time.
For my troubles, I got a safety and emissions at Big O tire, valued at $42.50. Hooray for being barely fast enough to get a prize! 3 girls beat me; Jasmine, Cynthia and somebody else.
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