My first "race"

[Melalvai]

I never was clear whether this was a race or not, but people placed in their gender/age category so it was more than an organized run. It was the Reindeer Romp, 4 miles, one substantial hill, a couple gentle rises, otherwise mostly flat. The wind was very strong for the first half. At the turnaround I got warm right away!

My friend & I attempted to wear reindeer antlers. We were not the only ones with them. I think everyone gave up on those as the wind blew them off right away.

I biked to the race/ romp, and when I saw another friend I said "Can I use your inferior form of transportation to stash my expensive cycling gear that is too warm for the run? My superior form of transportation doesn't feature locks."

I have been running ~4K on the dirt trail twice a week for a couple months. I've done a couple longer runs on the weekends, but it's been at least a month since I did anything longer than 4K. Also I haven't run with a group in a long, long time. So I wasn't sure what to expect.

Toward the end a tall lady passed me. I didn't try to keep up with her, but I was trying to kick it in for the end. I finished 3 seconds behind her. I did not expect to place but-- she was 3rd in our age/gender category! If I had a competitive bone in my body (I don't) I would have placed! That was very exciting to realize I had done so well.

I ran the 4 miles in 37:10.

[colby]

Sounds like fun. Great job, and congrats!

[OakLeaf]

Woot! Way to go Mel, sounds like fun.

[GLC1968]

Great job! (and you run WAY faster than I do!)