Me and the kids were LATE!!!! we had to park about a mile from the start, and run down 9th East as the 10K starters were running up it--cheered Michelle (looking strong and determined) as she ran up the road in the leader pack. We jogged down to the 5K start line and there was NO ONE in sight, but the people starting to put it away. They said it was still on so I lifted my arms as I crossed it (as if it were the finish line) and I yelled "Hey!I WON!!" Everyone laughed, and so we began the run in earnest. We'd already warmed up and as soon as we were about .2 down the road my daughter asked if she could go ahead as we were catching up to the last people. I saw her strong legs keep a steady pace as she dissapered in front of me catching up with the croud. I forgot I was wearing this crazy tall red white and blue star-spangled head band with red sparkelers sticking out of each star point and so when I ran out onto University I was reminded when everyone started cheering and yelling "Way to Go Star Hat Lady!!" The whole run was like that. I was thinking "Hey, this is nothing, I ran a half marathon in a full wedding gown"-- but they all loved the patriotic headgear. We cheered for Michelle again the elites passed us. The croud, and the attention, and running aside and noticing the elite runners gave my son a rush. I found myself trailing him as he ran ahead. I held his pace and just talked from behind about locking in his pace, passing people using as little energy as possible, picking people off the hill as he strided up it, and sprinting through the finishers chute. I was really, really surprized by how strong and smooth he was running (8:30 m/m). Both of my kids really impressed me. My girl waited for me at the finish -- she'd had trouble maintaining her pace up the hill. I'll check the chip times later. But the whole experience was not bad. In the end, they were both proud of themselves and chatting excitedly to each other about how their race went. I absolutely loved it. July 4, 2010 will become one of my fondest memories. | 