Slow w/u, saw some hs boys I thought would take it, also a flourescent green shirt (Daniel) who ran on toes who looked fast. Feeling like needed miles just to wake up body.
At start along narrow asphalt trail was a young runner in blue shorts who quickly put the race away. Started uphill and quickly saw that I could keep up with the gang, latched on passing going from 10th to 5th. Had headwind so I was tagging behind boys, Daniel wouldn't let me draft so drafted off other guy, 1st place was killing it, he's from ME and ran 17:30, no challengers. Was feeling good, 1st mile in 6:29, surprised w/ hill was so fast, didn't feel like I was stretching it but quickly started to in 2nd mile, Daniel went w/ me but not for long. Was on long boxed stretch along road, felt like I was pushing it, felt heavy but pushed through, at top left corner of course wasn't ready to turn left, was second-guessing course, but we ran around and turned back into the asphalt trail. At 2 miles was 13:20?, not sure, Daniel was closer than I thought 10 seconds back. Enjoyed the downhill into the park, then thru tunnel to mile 3, 19:24, finish at 20:16. Good cheering at end, had a cruise sprint, bagels and bananas.
Met hs guy who was 3rd, faded to 7th, from Recovery ranch in Mapleton, finish was away from the park, had raffle and award for first. Definitely have some soreness in legs, gave a good effort. If I actually get some training miles in should run 2 minutes faster? ;-)
Race was for a great cause too. Talked to some people afterwards, there's something to having a support group and "Fighting like Dragons." We are always battling the good vs. the best and the good twisted into bad.
We are imago dei marred by sin, Christ died to crush the serpent and to take away sin, but until he is finally defeated we have the struggle.
Race results
Photo finish
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