Date/Location: | April 17, 2021 – Grass Valley, CA |
| Distances: | 5km |
| Time: | 24:31 (PR 22:12, 2017) |
| Place: | 1st Place, 50-59 (4th Overall) |
| Teammates: | Anna, Ariel & Robin Soares; Ellie Nickel; Nick Lynch |
We love coming to Christian Encounters Ranch for this annual 5k run fundraiser. The opportunities young teens have here are life changing. They truly have “encounters” with Christ because nothing else could change their lives so dramatically.
The setting is beautiful.. ponds, trails, bridges. And we get to run through it all!
My right heel has been painful lately. The stretching I was doing doesn’t seem to help anymore. But praying this morning, I am hopeful that God will still show me relief in some way.
After a welcome and introduction by the CER leaders, and a prayer before the race, we are ready to start the waves. Robin & I in the first wave and Ariel in the 2nd. Anna is still recovering from a badly sprained ankle.
Go! Some young fast kids take the lead. I see them go the wrong way but I’m not sure if the course had changed. Others tell them quickly and we’re all on track. A quarter mile and we come through the main area against amidst a lot of cheering! It feels great. Filled with appreciation. Now up a steep section.. I do more of a shuffle to take strain off my heel. I’m with Robin for a while. We loop back down through narrows path and then around the pond. There’s a girl ahead of me who is running well.
I get the idea to “relax” my rt calf. The heal feels a little better. I can still push off going up hill while relaxing it at the same time. This is good!
Another steep climb to the canal. I go by one of the CER leaders who is doing the race as well!
Mile 1: 9:25. On the canal. Flat. I grab water from the aid station. I’m able to speed up, while relaxing the calf. I pass the girl ahead and encourage her. To the other side of the canal. I see Robin doing well. I look back across often to look for Ariel.. there she is! In her bright yellow FCA shirt. “Good job, Ariel!”.
Mile 2: 7:41. These little rollers are getting tough. Now where is that Smiley Face they painted on the ground indicating the last hill.. there it is, yay! All down hill now. Our friend, Nick, from Tuesday Night Track is ahead but on the descents he really opens up and pulls farther ahead. I watch my footing as I try to navigate the stone stair-steps down the beautiful path.
Mile 3: 7:12. And now the final stretch along the main pond to the finish line. Thank you, Lord, for such an encouraging race, so much better than I imagined. 24:08. Robin and Ariel finish soon after and it’s a very enjoyable time hanging out at the Ranch. Robin and I cool-down running around the property.
This is a view of the finish stretch
Thank you, Lord, for CER!