the beginning of the end of the season

heading into taper mode for SOMA half ironman, i squeezed in one last little tune-up race- a fun USATF cross country 5k with team BSK/running center.

i had some tough workouts in the legs, and my left quad felt like it was injected with cement on race morning for the Cougar Challenge 5k (great name!! if only i was single and 5 years older!) . but, when i warmed up and jogged it out (the quad that is), it actually loosened up a bit. at the start line, i tried to remain calm as i saw the packs of 18-year old college runners in their bun-huggers lined up beside me. i didn't put too much stock in the race, i just wanted to run hard and put in a good effort for team BSK. BUT, my 5k PR, set at Carlsbad 5000 in 2008 was itching to go down. Carlsbad was 19 minutes and 20 something seconds....

the course was twisty and on mostly dirt, but pretty darn flat- just one noticeable hill on the course. i had zero race strategy other than to go hard. the race started out really fast i ran with a few girls - and one looked at her watch and said, "5:26 pace" about half a mile in...we all slowed a bit knowing that was a little speedy. i crossed mile 1 in 5:38...whoops! mile 2 went down in 5:55.. r'uh r'oh! (signal wheels to come off) and i managed to hang on to a 6:15 final mile. then kicked out that final .1....i crossed the line and stopped my garmin immediately for once....it said 18:35, 3.15miles, 5:59 pace! wahoo! well, they posted the results, and my time was actually 18:37 which is exactly 6:00 pace. i guess i'll have to live another day before i can run a 5k under 6 minute pace. regardless, i was so excited!

the last half of the race was comical, really. the college cross country teams ran this race with what one might call strategy...hmmm, what's that? they stayed together as a pack until they were through lap one and then basically charged by. i was passed A LOT during this race.

i had a blast once again, running with the team and our ladies are winning the points series overall! wahoo! i can't wait until the finals...my fast, sexy, sub 18 BSK/running center teammates- joey (17:26, 1st overall) and morgan (17:57, 4th overall)...
and this is coach David. i simply cannot begin to describe how much i truly believe that this guy IS the spirit of running. david gives so much to the team, and you can count on him being out on the course and cheering for you. all of a sudden, even though you may have felt like a fat loser, his motivational calls have transformed you into a gazelle who looks wonderful and relaxed and is crushing the competition.

after the race, i went home to meet up with james to get cleaned up for luke & charessa's wedding in wine country...i came home to this on my couch

seriously. i live with this. he thinks its funny to wear the honu 70.3 muscle tee because i won't touch the gear as i did not actually finish the race (well, i really never wear any finishers gear or race t's). sweet cycling tan or as he calls it, "badge of honor."

at least he cleans up nice! off to the wedding!