Each Day Is a Gift

This run/walk was organized 5 years ago by a local Stake.  I understand it has doubled in size every year since.  It's a free race but you do need to register to obtain a commemorative bib.  My brother-in-law Gary was in town so he signed up his wife, daughter and mother.  So I signed up my hubby, and our missionary (an elder from HK who graduated from BYU-H and now here to start graduate study at the U) who's staying with us. 

The website projected that there were nearly 10,000 registrants (we registered the night before).  The race starts at 8pm. at the Provo Temple and finish at the Provo City Center Temple.  Bib pick up at the start between 6:00 to 7:30.  So hubby being the punctual guy decided we need to leave the house at 6am.  We parked our car at the temple overflow parking lot where they have the bib pick up tables.  After getting our bibs, we called Gary who was parking at the finish and taking the shuttle bus to the start.  We moved our car to the church parking lot where there were lines of portapotties. We saw a big group of missionaries at the parking lot.  Gary and the rest of the family arrived, we took pictures and milled around until the race started at 8:10.  The annoucer said there were estimated 20,000 participants this year.  The atmosphere was fun, families with strollers and even pioneer costumes.  There were hymns being broadcasted and even a poster cut out of Pres. Monson standing on the top of the starting ladder.  The sun was peeking over Squaw Peak and you could see a sea of people on the road going up the hill behind the temple.  Those with timing chips (for about $9) get to line up in the front marked up cones followed by runners, then walkers.  Those with strollers or wheeled stuff line up behind the second crosswalk. 

Gary and my niece Jessie (18 yo) and Nelson (our former missionary) jumped in after the first wave of runners.  Lily, Grandma and Larry would jump in with the walkers.  The first mile was down Temple Dr. going west then turn south passed the MTC. then another right turn going west to the stadium.  Then we turned onto BYU campus running pass the field house.  I was able to keep up with Jessie and Gary.  At the field house they were giving out water bottles, so I made my way across there and picked up a bottle.  Took a big gulp and was going to put the cap back on so I could run with it; but dropped the cap so decided to drink some more and ditch the bottle.  Gary and Jessie got a little ahead and I chased back up to them.  We're now running south on 200 E.  and I glanced down at my watch and saw that we're running a 8:40 pace which scared me a little.  I told Gary our pace and saw Jessie breathing hard.  I eased up a bit and let them go.  The runners around me were all breathing just as hard.  I wanted to keep a good tempo and would sprint once I see the finish.  I was surprised to see the finish as soon as we turned west on 100 S.  So we only have to sprint from 200 E to 50E.  Man, I should've picked up the pace sooner!  I stopped the watch after I crossed the finish and high fived Gary.  Very pleased with the time.  The last time I "raced" a 5K was probably in 2010 at the Nestle 5K.  My PR was 23+ min.  I seriously thought it would take me 30 min to run a 5K.  I guess it helps to have some youngsters to pace me! :)  Splits: 9:19, 8:59, 8:53, (0.1 @4:58)  I have not run in these paces for years!!!! Haha, I know...this is supposed to be "fast'runningblog"...and I'm really a jogger these days! :)