5.48 mi, 48:17, 8:49 avg, elev gain 58 feet
Did not get to run until 12:12 pm, 86 degrees with some clouds and fortunately the route had mostly shade. Headed south through Westlake to Nebraska, then up to PA Ave via 18th street until reaching the top of the hill, then turning back the way I came with a side trip to the Palm Harbor Y to use the water fountain inside. First mile was 9:53, I knew it wouldn't be a fast run but it turned out to not be that slow.
Earlier that morning saw Thomas (running Varsity for Mitchell) and Jacob (running JV for Palm Harbor) race at the Jim Ryun Invitational Cross Country meet in Lakeland (Jim Ryun was the first ever high school runner to break the 4 minute mile). Event was held at Holloway Park which has one of the few dedicated cross country course with 3k, 5k, and 10k routes. Humidity was really bad this morning.
Saw Thomas at the 1 mile marker, coming through in about 5:37, looking strong. There is another viewing spot, about 2.2 miles where I saw him next. I was running two feet behind teammate Jacob U. Next, I ran near the finish line to see the homestretch which comes in a horseshoe shape. Jacob U came in sight first but Thomas was no longer with him. He soon showed up maybe 20 seconds later. I cheered him on as he got near but it all seemed like in slow motion. A couple kids passed him and as he got closer to the finish it looked like he tripped on something, and then I realized he didn't but legs seemed to give out. He gets back up and finishes. A coach behind the finish line helps him stand. I rush to meet him at the exit to the finish chute. Jenny is already there holding him up. I rush back to the team tent where I have a cooler with ice and cold gatorade, then rush back to the finish but have missed them. Headed back to the tent and they've made it back. Before that I had a moment of panic, relieved when I saw he was ok enough to tell me to go away and leave him alone. He still managed 2nd place for the team with a time of 18:39, 33rd overall (last year, 33rd place had a time of 18:06. Also, last year one runner broke 16:00 and there were 8 others under 17:00, this year there were two runners under 17:00 with winning time of 16:38).
Jacob's race was at 9:30, but started maybe 10 minutes late. Temperature was about the same and there was almost a small breeze but heat index was still dangerously high. Jacob's dad Scott was there, so after the race started showed him the 1 mile and 2.2 mile viewing areas. Jacob came through first mile in 7:34, was looking pretty good still at 2.2 miles. He had a good kick down the finish line and finished in 24:08, but then needed some help standing up after finishing.
After hanging out a little bit longer, drove Jessica and Aubrey back to Oldsmar to Canal Park where Aubrey was cheering a football game, then I headed back to Palm Harbor, did my run, and then back to Canal Park to try and catch the end of the game and see Aubrey cheer but had just missed it.
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