^WHERE:  Sacramento, CA

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

This is our 3rd year here at Zoo Zoom.  It's not the same without Troy racing this time but Anna and I press on today for the team.  It's a warm morning!  My legs feel pretty tired even with the uninterrupted sleep (thanks, Troy, for taking kid duty!)  Sleeping has been rough with Anna's coughing so I think that has caught up with me.  We also did a family ride yesterday so that could be part of it.  Regardless, I need to work hard out here and do my best.  I remind myself that Troy and Jamie Whitmore would love to do this!  Anna is very excited to do her race and is getting pumped up seeing all the kids running around and knowing a trip to the zoo awaits afterwards!

I seed myself on the starting line a bit aggressively in hope of not having to dodge other runners.  I'm surrounded by fast people...Fleet Feet, Buffalo Chips, and many others. 

Ready, set, go!  I'm off the line and flying.  Within the first 200 meters I look at my Garmin and see 5:50!  What am I thinking!  I veer to the left and try to slow to my goal pace of just under 7 minute pace.  Runners are passing me and now I feel silly being the one being dodged.

Mile 1 is 6:54.  Okay this is good!  If I can just hold this for 4 miles and see what happens for the last two miles.  There are a few girls ahead of me so I keep my eyes on them.  I forgot to bring Hammer Gel so I'm hoping that the aid stations have some kind of sports drink.  At the first station I grab a cup and it's water.  I hear a racer calling for Gatorade behind me and my hopes are raised.  Then I hear a volunteer say "it's just water".  Bummer!  Oh, well.  Lord, I know that You will make it work out.

Mile 2 is 6:54.  So far so good!  I hope to keep this up!  I've moved ahead of 2 girls and I'm working on the third.  This race is very challenging physically and mentally.  I just keep talking to the Lord and let Him know that I'm leaning on Him.  I'm able to pull past the other girl and I tell her good job.  I see a guy that I've been racing with in the Davis Turkey Trot 5K Stroller Race for the last few years.  I focus on his back and try to reel him in.  There is a guy standing on a grassy patch with his horse and an American flag.  He smiles and tells me good job and I say thanks.

Mile 3 is 6:53.  I'm now ahead of the Turkey Trot guy and trying to keep the pace.  I can hear Anna and Troy cheering for me on the other side of the road.  I'll see them again in a minute when I turn around ahead.  I see Anna ready to give me a high five.  A guy ahead of me gives her one and then it's my turn.  I hear her say "good job Mommy"...that just melts my heart!!  Troy tells me that I'm running fast and reminds me to focus on the Lord.

The plan is to push the pace once I hit mile 4.  I'm really starting to hurt and it's getting harder to hold this pace.  "Help me, Lord".  A guy I passed earlier passes me.  I tell him good job and he asks me if I am okay and if I need some food.  I tell him no but regret it.  I must be showing obvious strain for him to mention it.  and I try to keep in step with him. 

Mile 4 is 6:58.  At this point I don't have the energy to push harder so I just try to stay with that guy.  He starts to pull away and I start to hear myself say it's okay, you did your best, now just pull back a bit and relax.  I turn to Jesus and I ask him to help me stay focused.  He brings to mind Troy and Jamie and it keeps me hanging on.

Mile 5 is 7:02.  I'm definitely hurting but I'm pushing with what I've got!  "Help me, Lord"  I look for the man and his horse.  He gives me another smile and this time I can only wave and smile back. 

Mile 6 is 7:04.  I'm slowing down but not willfully.  I'm fighting my body all the way.  The finish line is near but yet so far away.  I can see Anna and Troy cheering me home.  I point to heaven to let Troy and others know where my strength is from.  I give what I can and push.  It seems like forever but I finally cross the line and look up to Him.  Thank you, Jesus!  It wasn't my fastest race but it was a good one...I never gave up and kept pressing on.

Our Friend Hal Tacker Finishing

Anna's 0.5 Mile Kid's Race

Today I do my kid's race.  First, mommy races, and I give her high 5's to keep her going.  I give others high 5's because they're doing a good job, too.

We have to hurry because I don't want to be late.  Daddy puts my number on.  I tell him, "Run with me. You can run in front or behind".

The first group of kids are running. I said I wanted to run with the little kids, but Daddy says I'll be ok running with the big kids.  We're in the back.

 It's hot and Daddy's thinks I need to drink before I race.  We run to Mommy, drink, and I run back because I don't want to be late.

The funny man in blue says, "Go!"

Wow, this is great, I love running.  I'm going the same way Mommy ran.  Daddy's behind me.  And there's Leonie and Rich and Henry, the dog.  I like Henry.  They're all cheering for me.  It makes it seem easy.  I give Mommy a high 5.

We turn the corner.  I feel good.  I'm running with the big kids.  They're good runners.  Leonie is the best at helping runners.  She's making me smile.

"Daddy, water."  I'm going to keep running while I drink.  I'm going to run all the way to the end.

I am getting a little tired.  I'll hold Daddy's hand.  No, he's going too slow, I can do it on my own.  Mommy's taking pictures.  I love her.  I'm going to hug her when I'm done.

There's the finish!  I did it, I ran all the way.  A medal!  "Thank you."   I get to go to the zoo now!  Daddy says I ran a "sub-5 1/2-mile" but I don't know what that means.  I just like running.

Check out the video of my race:

Fun At the Zoo!

(I took this of Mommy & Daddy)