| Date/Location: | July 4, 2021 – Coronado, Ca – Racing Since 2011 |
| Distances: | 12km |
| Time: | 1:01:57 (PR, 2017, 53:17) |
| Place: | 4th/27 |
| Others: | 5K: Anna & Ariel Soares; Jan Heidt; 12K: Troy Soares |
I can't believe I am racing again after less than a week after Ironman Coeur d'Alene! This is a great tradition that we've been doing 10 years now! It was sad to miss last year because of COVID. My mom always joins us too.
The race director gives his usual Independence Day movie speech...a running version with a COVID twist. Love it!
Anna starts in the first wave. Troy, Ariel and I find ourselves in the second wave accidentally. No bother. It's a good place for all of us.
Ready, set, go! We run under the huge American flag. Another special part of this race. I settle in to 8:25 pace. It feels strange to be going so "fast". Troy and Ariel pull away.
Mile 1 is 8:24. I see the fast 5K runners heading back. One guy is running barefoot! There are pro runners out here today that competed in the Olympic trails recently. I should see Anna coming back soon. There she is looking strong and smiling! "Praise God, good job Anna!"
As I get closer to the 5K turn point, I see Ariel. I tell her good job as well. She is working hard!
Mile 2 is 8:24. I think I can hold this pace. I'm feeling good. Thanks God!
Mile 3 is 8:26. On the strand now. I notice a woman in a pink top in front of me. I try to stay in step with her. It is quite humid!
The top 12K runners are coming back. I should see Troy in a bit. I hope his foot is doing ok. I see him coming back strong and smiling. I get to the turn around and start heading back.
Mile 4 is 8:18. I'm still following the pink girl. At the aid station she stops to get water. I'm glad I'm carrying my water bottle. I push the pace with the help of a few runners passing me.
Mile 5 is 8:18. Thanks Lord! I'm surprised I'm actually getting faster. A woman in white passes me and I surge to try to keep up with her.
Mile 6 is 8:09. Awesome! The gal in white is pulling away but I'm continuing to push. I can see the bridge. So close now! I hope my mom is doing well out there. Sometimes we finish around the same time but I'm a little slower this year.
Mule 7 is 7:54. Nice! All the way to the finish! I catch up to a guy and I encourage him to go. He takes off and I push as hard as I can. I see the girls and Troy cheering. I look up to heaven as I cross the line. All done! Thanks Lord!
