Happy Kids Du #1-Ariel-2020

Date/Location:	1/18/20, Granite Bay
Distance:	1mi R – 3miB – 1mi R
Time:	Ariel: 26:59
Place:	Ariel: 1st, 11-12 Year Old Girls

Run

“3, 2, 1, Go” the crowd chants. I start running. I see the girl that I met at a training workout. I want to beat her. She is very fast. I try to stay with her but its hard. I run up a steep hill. I try to pass some kids which is getting harder now that we are going onto a path. I start passing people by going on the side of the trail. I see her disappear through the trees. I run a little faster. I’m still feel like I can keep this up. It doesn’t seem to hep because she’s the same distance in in front of me. I run by a lot of drift wood and then a cross a small bridge made out of drift wood. I run up a small hill and then on to a large fat road. This helped me see she was. I think she’s a little farther ahead of me. I now the transition area is close so I start running very fast. I’m almost sprinting I jump over a big puddle and keep running. I feel a little tired right now so I slow down a little bit. I run up a hill and down that hill. I can hear people now. I come a little but steep hill and start to run faster into transition. I put my helmet on and get my bike. I get on and bike out of transition.

Bike

I bike up a big hill. I can’t see her yet but I’m sure I’ll see her soon though. I bike on a flat road and see dad. I bike down a hill onto another long flat road. I see her ahead and start peddling faster. I pass some kids. I keep biking along this path. I go up a gradual hill and then down a hill into a sharp corner. I bike up and down some hills and then enter into big, long turn. I go up and down again. I hear someone and start peddling faster. A boy that I remember from the workout passes me. I see a hill coming up. I go to one of my lowest gears and start going up the hill. I make it to the top and then down a steep hill into a really sharp turn. I go back up and down the hills. I go back to the big turn. And back onto the long bumpy road and I see her again. I bike faster and I’m getting closer to her then before. I bike down the big hill into transition. I get off my bike and take of my helmet. I run out of transition and start the run.

Run

I run up a steep hill. I get onto the path. I pass a couple kids and I see her disappear through the trees again. I run a little faster. This time I’m closer. I run by a lot of drift wood and then a cross the small bridge over the puddle. I run up the small hill and then on to a large fat road again. I see where she is. She’s a little farther ahead of me. I start running faster. I jump over a big puddle and keep running. I feel a little tired right now so I slow down just a little bit. I run up a hill and down a hill. I can hear people now. I come up a little but steep hill. I start sprinting. There’s not a lot left in me but I don’t care. I sprint as fast as my body will let me into the finish line. I got 1^st in my age group and 2^nd girl overall. I wasn’t able to catch her but I got close. I’m looking forward to next time.

Resolution Run 5K-Ariel-2020

Date/Location:	1/1/20, Railhead Park, Auburn
Distance:	3.4 mi (new longer course)
Time:	35:14 (10:22 pace)
Place:	2nd, 9th o/a
Teammates:	10Mile: Anna Soares, Robin Soares, Troy Soares, Manouch Shirvanioun, Wyatt Hamilton 10K: Hunter Glass, Suzanne Hartley 5K: Ashley Glass, Caryn Galeckas, Debbie Booth, Elizabeth Katsura, Leah Booth, Seely Fam (Jon, Ardelle, Adalynn, Alice)

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go! I start running. I think that it will be a long time until I get to the uphill so I run a faster pace than normal.  I run out of Railhead and then I start running down. Now I realize that the uphill will come sooner. I run down and I remember what Daddy was telling me about running downhills, “…the perfect speed to go downhill is just before your running out of control” Thinking this, I run a little faster. It hurts a little bit because I have to run with my toes pointing down. I see Mrs. Booth (Anna’s best friend’s mom) and pass her.  I think I can stay ahead of her. I keep running downhill. I can pass a lot of people. It starts to get flat so I know that the hill is coming up.

I go down a small hill (compared to the big hills I just went down). Then I see the uphill. I know it's going to be tough. I say to myself, “I am not going to walk the whole way”. I start going up the hill. Its already hard but I don’t give up. I am running slow. I look behind me and see Mrs. Booth coming. I speed up a little bit, but she’s still coming fast. She passes me so I try to stay close to her. She seems to be going fast. She gets way ahead. I see a cameraman and smile as I go past. I run a little more when I hear Dad. I look behind again and see him coming. I pick up the speed. I keep going faster. I look back again. This time I see him coming right behind me. I can’t believe he caught me (he’s doing the 10 miles). We run together a little before Daddy runs ahead. I look behind and I see Anna. I say, “Dad, Anna’s coming!” I run a little faster but then I slow down because it’s getting hard. Anna catches up to me and we run together a little bit and then she also runs ahead. ”I wonder where Mom is. Anna might beat her.” I feel like walking. I walk a little a then run again. I run into the place where the 5k and 10 miles split I start running up another hill when I hear mom say “Go, Ariel!” I keep running. I feel like walking again but, this time I don’t walk. I keep running.

It keeps going up and sometimes I go down or it's flat. I walk a little then run again. I remember some more things that Dad told me. “If you’re going to walk, walk fast.” And, “try running the whole way”. It is very hard to climb the hills. My first-mile pace was around 6:55 but now that it’s all hills and my pace goes down to 10, 11, and 12-minute paces. I try not to go any faster, because if I do, I feel like I am probably going to walk more but, I still try to keep a perfect pace. I walk sometimes but, I still try not to. It gets more flat, then I get to go down but, then I have to go up again. I think I am close. I start going up the hill that last year was the hill to the finish line. But they changed the course and Its longer. I see a turn on the hill marked with a pink ribbon which is the ribbon that they said to follow. I see 2 people going the wrong way, so I call them and tell them, “I think it’s this way!”  But only one of them heard.

Now that the course turned, I get to run on the flat ground a little. I have some uphill. The course comes to a gate that I remember from when we had Track at Railhead. I start going faster because I know that I am close to the finish line. I keep running trying to get closer to the people in front and get farther from the people behind me.  I run on the road a little and then on a small trail I know. I’m back on the road now and I’m going faster. Then, all of the sudden, I see a kid that is in front of me start sprinting to the finish line a different way. I’m pretty sure he is in my race. What if I went the wrong way? What I if get disqualified?  I’m so deep in thought that, before I know it, I am halfway down the finish line. “Go Ariel!”, yells Leah, “Hunter is right behind you!” I start to sprint. I run right through the finish right before Hunter does (he was doing the 10k and started 15 minutes earlier). Everyone did great. I got 35:14 (it ended up being 3.43 miles) and I got 2nd in my age group.

Resolution Run 10 Mile-Anna-2020

Date/Location:	1/1/20, Railhead Park, Auburn
Distance:	9.7 mi (new course with short turn-around)
Time:	1:21:59
Place:	1st F10-19 (6th o/a F)
Teammates:	10Mile: Robin Soares, Troy Soares, Manouch Shirvanioun, Wyatt Hamilton 10K: Hunter Glass, Suzanne Hartley 5K: Ariel Soares, Ashley Glass, Caryn Galeckas, Debbie Booth, Elizabeth Katsura, Leah Booth, Seely Fam (Jon, Ardelle, Adalynn, Alice)

We show up at the race start with only 10 minutes to spare. My mom thought the race started at 1:00, but this year the race started at 12:00. I get my parents and check in and get ready to run. My friend Leah, who is doing the 5k, warms up with me. I get to the start and pray with my parents. Then the announcer counts down. 10, 9, .. 3, 2, 1, Go!

I start running right behind my Dad. My new water bottle I got for Christmas keeps bothering me. I am able to tuck it into my new vest, which I also got for Christmas. I am running right with my Mom and Dad. As we run down and down, my Dad jokes that if we can all stay together we’ll only have to write one race story. Up ahead I see a girl in pink.  She looks young but she’s very far ahead. Maybe I’ll catch her in the future. We climb up a small hill and then we keep running down. I pass the first Aid Station but get nothing. They don't have cups in this race so I brought my water bottle. They are giving out water just no cups. I run down the hill at a good speed. My Dad says to try and get an 8:15 - 8:30 min pace. Go fast downhill and slower uphill and it will average out. I start to lose my Dad at the end of the hill. He encourages me, then disappears around the turn. I go around the turn and start up the trail.

I know this trail so well. I have run up it multiple times when helping my friend Leah train for her first half marathon. I start up the trail and catch up to my Dad without trying. I stay behind him as we run up the trail. At the top, my legs are tired and I try to relax because I have a long way to go. I’m already past 2 miles and feel good. My Mom is behind me and I'm going to try and stay ahead of her. She’s still close and really good at hill climbing. Her only weakness is that she doesn't like to run fast downhill. My Dad goes ahead again and I stay at my pace worried my Mom will catch me. As I'm getting closer to where we started, I know my friend will start her 5k soon. I keep looking at my watch to see if I’ll make it to see her start. I get to the start area and see all the 5kers running downward. I missed her, but I might be able to see Ariel.

I turn onto the 5k course and have 6 Miles left to go. I am running fast downhill and it’s hard to slow down. I have to zig-zag through everyone because I’m running through the walkers. I know that I have to be careful about running fast downhill, but I know that I’m gaining distance from my mom. I see my dad up ahead running down. Next to him is a friend of mine named Ashley. I keep my eyes on her as I get closer. I finally catch up to her and tell her good job. I get to run on flat as the road levels out, which feels better than straight downhills. It’s then downhill again till I hit the trail going uphill. I think I see Elizabeth from the track, but I’m not sure. I get close and then say hi and good job. I was right it was Elizabeth. I run on the trail and pass people. I hit 5 miles and it is surprising it's gone by so fast. I only have 5 miles left, easy peezy. I look up ahead and see a little girl in a yellow shirt. It’s Ariel! I see my dad not too far behind and know that he’s probably trying to catch her. I speed up a little to try and catch her too. I’ve never caught her before because I’ve been too slow. I run on the twisty trails getting closer. I get to a twisting hill and start climbing.

I remember this hill from last year. I see Ariel up ahead with Dad in front of her. I cheer her on and tell her good job. I get closer and tell her good job in person. I then get to the 10k and 10-mile turn. I turn and start running an out-and-back section. On my way out, I see my friend, Hunter, coming back from the turnaround. He’s doing the 10k. I cheer him on and he tells me that my Dad’s just ahead of me. I know my Dad’s close but I’m not going to be able to catch him. My main goal is to stay ahead on my Mom, which I’m doing pretty good at. I’m about 6 miles now and feeling good. My Dad said I can take my gel between miles 6 and 8. I feel good so I'll have it at mile 7. I run on the twisty trail and get to an Aid station. I don’t grab anything and continue running. I’m running around Robie Point a trail which I ran quite recently. I’m feeling a little tired and the hill is getting to me. I also made a goal that I wasn’t going to walk, like last year. The hill’s looked great to walk but I kept running. I looked back when I could see a good amount of trail behind me. I’m pretty sure I see my Mom and it scares me. I thought I was farther ahead. I see Susan and say hi. I then twist my ankle on a rock but keep running. I get upset and feel like I want to cry. I don’t and focus on God. I know it’s a test from God and I feel like each race if I can complete God’s test the rest of the run goes well.

My ankle doesn't bother me and I continue running. I see some people I know and say hi. I am passing a lot of 10kers that had got to the trail before me. I see the highway ahead where we turned around last year. Later, though, I see my Dad coming back and he says the turn around is closer. That sounds great, I'm tired and want to finish. Soon enough I get to the turnaround and run back. It’s a little sketchy because it just says turn and doesn't tell you if it’s for the 10k, 10 miles, or both. I see my Mom on the way back and tell her the turn around is close and sketchy. I keep running and it’s flattish so far. I’m at 7 miles and I get to take my gel. It’s a new flavor and tastes pretty good. I then get to a long uphill that I know very well. I really want to walk it but I keep running. A lady walking encourages me as I run up the hill. By the time I get to the top, my feet are on fire. I then get to go down a steep downhill and I try to control myself as I run down. I pass the Aid Station and get to slow down from the hill. My feet are less firey and my legs are sore. I get to another downhill and I try to control myself again while going fast. At the bottom, I make a turn back onto the 5k course.

I now have 2 miles to go. I’m excited but it’s going to take awhile. I know the trail pretty good because I ran on it a lot during the cross country season. I get to an uphill that leads back down again. I know there's a big uphill ahead where it will be hard to keep running. I’m passing a lot of runners because they’re all the walkers from the 5k. I go up a steep and rocky trail and run all the way. I run to the top and my legs are tired, but I keep running. I run down and cross a muddy creek. I then run back up to the flat part of the trail. I’m less than a mile and ½ away from the finish. As I run around the curves of the trail I know the steep hill is coming up. I turn the corner and start climbing. There are people on the trail and I tell them “on your left.” I have to run up a steeper side of the trail to get by some walkers. I finally get to the top and my feet are on fire again. I get a small downhill over a creek again. I then start climbing up the next hill before I turn onto a trail going downwards. Last year we didn’t run on this trail so it’s new. I run behind the Overlook and it’s difficult to pass. I have to squeeze by people as I say “on your left.” I’m careful to not push anyone off the trail. I hit some gravel and I know the finish is so close. I want to sprint in when I get there but my legs are really tired. I slowly start to speed up as I take the last short trail. I hit the pavement and pick it up. I turn the corner and try my best to sprint down the runway. I get to the finish and point to the One who got me through it all.

I had a really successful race and thank God for it. For the first time ever I beat my amazing mother. My best friend Leah did great placing 1st woman overall and 2nd 5ker overall. Ariel did great and got 2nd in her age group. God gave me a great race getting 4th Women overall and 1st in my age group.

Praise The Lord For He Is Good, His Love Endures Forever

Resolution Run 10mi (Troy)

Date/Location:	1/1/20, Railhead Park, Auburn
Distance:	9.7 mi (new course with short turn-around)
Time:	1:19:40 (8:13 pace)
Place:	3rd (16th o/a)
Teammates:	10Mile: Robin Soares, Anna Soares, Manouch Shirvanioun, Wyatt Hamilton 10K: Hunter Glass, Suzanne Hartley 5K: Ariel Soares, Ashley Glass, Caryn Galeckas, Debbie Booth, Elizabeth Katsura, Leah Booth, Seely Fam (Jon, Ardelle, Adalynn, Alice)

Assuming it started at 1pm like last year, we almost missed the 12pm start of our favorite local race, the Auburn Resolution Run!

It’s at the Railhead Park instead because of a larger field. The weather is great.  We see a bunch of friends, while rushing to get through registration and to the start line.  Robin, Anna, Ariel (doing the 5k 30min later) and I pray together. That really calms me down and reminds me the great opportunity we have.  As long as we put Christ first, it will all work out for His good.

It’s a “cupless” race.  Robin has a water bottle.  Anna has a collapsible bottle.  And I have a paper cup stuffed in my pocket.  Along with 2 Hammer Gels.

Go!

We’re about 20 back as we go through the gate onto the Dam Overlook Rd.  It’s a 2mi gradual downhill towards China Bar.  Robin, Anna and I are matched pace!  How cool to be running in a race with most of my family around me.  I can’t help but dole out suggestions to Anna as we go. “Breathe relaxed and deep”, “shoot for 8:15-8:30 pace”, “use the downhills to gain time”, “run the tangents, but not off the road”.  It also keeps my mind off my own concerns for getting through this tough course.

Mile 1.  7:12. Such a fun downhill!

Mile 2. 7:05. “Relax and get ready, Anna”, I tell her as I shake out my arms and begin the Cardiac Bypass climb.  Anna and I have done this many times.  I try to pick good lines through the loose rocks to make it easier for Anna.  We pass a lot of runners, encouraging them as we go.   I can hear Anna breathing 50ft behind me and it’s exciting that she’s able to stay so close.  She’s really getting strong.  Robin is probably 50 ft behind Anna.  Robin loves the steep climbs and is probably having a blast while also excited for Anna keeping up with us.

Mile 3.  9:02. Good pace up the hill!  At the beginning we saw what looked like a young woman way ahead and by now I thought we’d catch up but there’s no sign of her.  I let Anna know about the steep decline coming and not to get out of control and hurt her knees.  But the course, instead of dropping down the connector road, continues towards the start where we merge with the 5k runners starting.

Mile 4.  8:25. This is great seeing some of our 5k friends.  I get on the left side and gently call “on your left” down the steep Dam Rd.  I see Caryn Galekas (recovering from being sick), then Ardelle and her daughter Alice and then Lauren, from track, spectating, and then, farther down, Elizabeth from track, and then I run the final descent with Jon and his daughter, Adalynn.  Adalynn picks it up and stays with me.  She’s a great little runner.

Mile 5. 6:51. Steep and fast. Running across the bottom, I see Ariel up ahead!  I love how this race is laid out so I can see all my family!  She’s running good and I catch up to her as we start climbing again.  She’s cheerful and excited to see me, too.  I say goodbye and then hear Anna behind us yelling, “Hey, Ariel!”  At the same time I see Debbie Booth ahead and think about her big news recently being accepted into the Western States 100!  With so many highlights around me, this extremely steep section goes by fast!

Mile 6. 9:01. I see 10k’ers coming back allready.  I cheer for Hunter Glass (1st in his age group), he looks great.  I get more water, my cup is working good.  I round Robie Pt and see “Kepfer’s Rock” and a 10k’er looking exhausted resting on it.  It’s a rock right at the point with a beautiful view of the canyon.  I pass good friend, Susanne Harley, which also gives me a boost

Mile 7. 8:13. I see the turn-around right at 7mi which seems too early.  Thinking it’s for the 10k only I continue by it a little ways and ask some hikers if any runners came that way.  They say no and another runner says, “turn for everyone!”.  Ok we’re heading back, great!  I see Anna just 1min behind me now.  And Robin 1 more min behind her.  I tell them both the turn is soon.  I hope I’m right about that.

Climbing up to Robie Pt is really hard for me.  Energy seems depleted and foot feels fragile.  But I’ll make it and deep down it feels like a blessing to be able to push hard and breath hard.  Down the steep back-side I try to maximize stride without jarring the landings.  I do pretty good, get a cup refill at the aid station and now it’s back on the fireroads

Mile 8. 8:21. I catch a guy with “The Sock Guy” on his shirt that I saw early on.  This encourages me to push it to stay ahead.  And now the steep single-track trail towards the Overlook.  I get pumped up and charge it.  There are a lot of 5k walkers but I keep gently repeating “on your left” and it goes real well.  It becomes a little game to try to pick out a narrow edge to skirt by along a drop-off.  I’m breathing super hard, as I often am climbing hills, and that helps alert people – I sound like a gasping runner or a wheezing horse – either way, I’m just glad the path is opening up.  A little girl with a hydration pack is resting on the side of the trail but races me as I come by.  She goes quite a ways before deciding to rest again.  “You are a strong runner!”  I love seeing kids giving it their all.

Mile 9.  9:13. This is supper hard now!  I can barely keep running up the trail, let alone call out “on your left. Thank you.”  Heel hurts, lungs hurt.  But I keep thinking of the Lord knowing I’m running for Him and fatigue is not an excuse.  Fortunately another course change bypasses the steep climb and goes along my favorite trail behind the Overlook Park.  Finally flat!  “Almost there!” I encourage the other runners.  I think I’m more exicted about that then they are.  One thing about hard runs, it makes it more exciting to be done!

Mile 9.7.  8:58. Thank you, Lord!  I finished 3rd in my age and just under 1:20.  Ariel is there to welcome me.  We both cheer Anna and Robin in close bhind me.  Thank you, Lord for a great day and letting us all have successful races.

Resolution Run 10 Mile – Robin 2020

Date/Location:	1/1/20 Overlook Park, Auburn
Distance:	< 10 mi Trails
Time:	1: 1:27:58 (PR 1:16:04, 2011)
Place:	3rd (W40-49); 5th OA
Teammates:	10Mile: Anna Soares, Manouch Shirvanioun, Troy Soares, Wyatt Hamilton 10K: Hunter Glass, Suzanne Hartley 5K: Ariel Soares, Ashley Glass, Caryn Galeckas, Debbie Booth, Elizabeth Katsura, Leah Booth, Seely Fam (Jon, Ardelle, Adalynn, Alice)

We had a nice quiet morning as a family.  On our drive over to the start Anna’s friend Hunter calls us from the race wondering where we are.  Uh-oh!  I tell Troy to check the start time for the 10 miler. 12pm!  10 minutes from now!  I never checked the race details to see that the race starts an hour earlier this year!  I drop off Troy and the girls to get our race numbers and I park the car.  Amazingly we have time to check in, say hi to a few friends, get race t-shirts, pray with Ariel and get to the starting line.  Thanking God for His amazing provision!

Ready, set, go!  We are off!  Troy, Anna and I start out together.  It’s nice being together.  Anna and Troy talk about pace as we run downhill.  He tells her that once she starts climbing expect the average pace to tick up to about 8:20.  I don’t even know the pace I ran last year so decide at least sub 8:30 pace would be great.  Anna asks if she can stick with him and she says yes.  Funny how we are making plans on the fly today…literally!  I see a few girls ahead but didn’t really pay attention to see who took off in the front pack.  We pass one of the girls.

Mile 1 is 7:06.  Nice downhill pace! 

The course flattens out some.  We are still together.  I don’t know how long I can keep up.  As the road heads back down, Troy and Anna pull away.  They pass the last visible girl and I follow their lead a few minutes later.  We are heading down to run back up my favorite hill, Cardiac By-Pass.  I usually catch runners on this stretch and maybe I can get closer to Troy and Anna.

MIle 2 is 7:09. I start on Cardiac By-pass.  After the first few turns of the trail, I don’t even see Anna and Troy!  Wow!  I push it and pass a few guys in the beginning.  One guy is running with me at the same pace.  I’m impressed. I catch a few more including another woman towards the top.  I never see Troy and Anna!

As I get back to the road and it flattens out, I can see Anna and then Troy in the distance.  The from Cardiab By-Pass has pulled ahead.

Mile 3 is 9:03.  I see that the course is a bit different here.  Instead of taking a short and narrow trail to cut over to DAM Road and head downhill, we follow the road to the top of the DAM Road.  This is a tougher route because the road is a slight uphill.  I look at my watch.  It’s 12:30.  That’s when the 5Kers start.  I bet with this route, we’ll no longer be merging with the top 5K runners but rather those in middle of the pack… which will be large! 

MIle 4 is 8:26.  Sure enough, I round the last corner and I see a huge group of runners going down the DAM Road.  As I head down, I run past FCA Teammate Caryn Galeckas and pat her on the back.  I dodge runners all the way down the DAM Road.  I look for Ariel but she is no where in sight.  I pass her friend Ashley Glass.  I’m surprised that I cannot even see Ariel’s yellow shirt in the distance. Wow, she’s moving! I can still see Anna, though, from time to time.  I’m not too confident that I’ll be able to catch her.

MIle 5 is 7:26.  I’m still slightly at sub 8 min pace.  The trail is slightly flat and I get moving past more 5K runners.  As the trail heads back uphill, I pass Tuesday Track friend, Elizabeth Katsura, almost without realizing it.  I tell her good job as I go by and I realize it’s her! 

Where is Ariel?  I get to the point where the 5Kers head back to the finish and we go right.  There she is, climbing up the big hill!  “Go Ariel!  Great job!  Go Ariel!”  I think she must be able to hear me but she doesn’t look back or even make a motion.  That girl is focused and running strong!

Mile 6 is 9:15.  I see the 10K runners coming back.  There is a woman in 3rd!  I see Anna’s teammate, Hunter Glass, heading back in the top 5!  “Great job Hunter!”  As I see other girls come along in the 10K, I tell them their place.  I get up to the top 5 females before my course veers off.  I see another teammate, Suzanne Hartley, up ahead and tell her great job.

Since the course was a bit different in the beginning, I’m wondering where the turn around is.  Will I see if there are any other women ahead of Anna and I?  Will I see Troy and Anna?  As I come around Robie Point, I can see there is no one directing the runners and minimal markings.  The guy from Cardiac By-Pass pauses and asks another runner where to go.  I can see most folks are turning right and going away from Robie Point.  That is the usual course but I don’t know if something else might be different.  Right at that moment my neighbor Cindy Cranney says hi.  I was in a fog for a moment.  I tell her hi back.

I go right and see Troy heading back.  He tells me it’s a short out and back.  I ask are you sure?  He says yes.  Anna comes along soon too.  I tell her good job and we give each other high fives.

Mile 7 is 8:43.  I come up on the turn around.  Boy, it sure is earlier than normal!

I head back to Robie Point in time to see Anna climbing up.  She’s looking strong.  By the time I get up to the top of Robie, I catch up to Cindy and tell her good job! 

It’s up and over!  This is the steepest downhill of the course and I do my best to sort of run and hop as fast as I can down.

Mile 8 is 9:16. I run back over to where the 5K runners veered off.  I try to pass as many people along the way before the trail narrows.  As the trail narrows, i ask politely to many walkers to let me pass on the left.  They are so gracious and nice about it.  It must be so annoying for them!

I’m feeling really strong and push hard when the trail opens up.  I get stuck here and there but it only lasts a very brief moment. 

Mile 9 is 9:27.  My average pace is just over 8:30.  I might be able to bring that down some.  I pass Caryn again and tell her good job.  This last mile is definetly the toughest passing zone.  I sense another runner following and look back to see a 10K gal.  As I continue asking nicely to pass on the left, I tell folks “there are 2 of us”. 

The last climb of the race is cut short this year and we turn off onto another trail that goes around the Overlook.  I like this trail but it’s super hard to pass folks.  I run in the bushes just to get by folks.  I finally make it off the trail and it opens up.  I sprint under the overpass and turn to the finish line.  I push hard and see Troy and the girls cheering.  I smile.  I see a few little ones giving high 5s and I cannot resist.  As I cross the finish line I look up to God.  Thank you Lord for a great race!  I’m done and just 0.3miles shy of 10 miles.  The course is a bit short but they can easily fix that next year. Time to cheer in Caryn and Suzanne and others!