^WHERE: Beals Point, Folsom, CA

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

It's been a while since my last race in this series and I'm eager to get back out there tonight.  Troy's been out of town.  Tonight our wonderful babysitter was available, so it's a nice little break.  Thanks God!  I just finished swim lessons with the girls, dropped them off at home and have arrived 15 minutes before the start.  I don't need much warm-up time tonight.  I'm still recovering from our Auburn Tri relay so not expecting much except some series points.

I don't see the familiar faces like Mo and Prudence.  I wonder what will happen tonight.  The race is an actual 10K distance this time.  I'm relieved.  I don't feel like running extra this time.

We line up and it's time to hit it!  Go!  It's a tight pack and we jump off the line.  Up and over the levy onto a nice wide gravel road.  I see 5 women ahead of me along with some young girls.  I look at my watch and see that I'm running sub-7 pace.  Oh boy, slow down!  Don't spend all your energy!  I pull back on the reins and settle behind a small pack.  Soon we are zig-zagging on single-track.  As we hit the first hill, I pull ahead of one of the women and the young girls.  I make sure to encourage them and remind myself that this is not all about me, but Jesus.

Mile 1: 7:19.  I can see two of the girls ahead of me as I climb the big hill.  Up and over.  I follow them down and feel gravity really yanking on me.  I don't know exactly where I'm going, just turning as I see the girls ahead of me turn.  I'm actually not scared of slipping or going out of control.  I'm now on my favorite part winding my way through the trees.  I pass one of the girls.

Mile 2: 8:03.  I'm following a girl down a rocky stretch of trail.  Again, I'm not afraid and feel confident bounding down the trail.  Thanks God!  As we begin to climb I pass the girl and push ahead.  I can see the last 2 girls ahead. 

The trail spits us out on a levy and I think the finish line is straight ahead.  I see runners splitting off on two trails and I'm confused.  This is different.  Do the 10Kers go straight and the 5kers go left?  Hmm?  Then I realize it's not the same levy as before.  When I get to the end, it's clear that all runners go straight.  The runners that went left off are either off course or not in the race.

I'm back on single-track but not for long.  I'm spit out again onto another levy.  Ok, now I'm on the levy I was looking for earlier.  There's the finish line.  Just one more loop!

Mile 3: 7:42. One of the two girls heads to the finish of the 5k and other heads out for another loop.  Wow, Lord, this is getting interesting.  This blonde girl is not too far ahead and I feel strong.  I pull back the reins again and try not to get too excited.  I plan to pull her in little by little.  She reminds me of Melanie McQuaid (XTerra racer) and I'm reminded of Jamie Whitmore (XTerra all-time best). 

Mile 4: 7:07.  This is faster than the first loop.  Soon I find myself right behind the blonde girl.  I decide to pass on a slight uphill.  I tell her good job and she returns the compliment.  She puts on a surge and hangs with me.  She's good!  What a mental test!  I surge in hopes of making my pass stick.  It hurts.  Now I'm climbing up the big hill and trying to run away from the girl.  My heart rate is skyrocketing. 

I don't look back and at the top of the hill surge again to get some momentum for the downhill on the other side.  The trail is climbing up again and I see a mountain biker coming down.  He stops and waits for me to pass.  I recognize that it's Oliver from Victory Velo and say hi. It's good to see him!  As I make a sharp right I see the blonde girl climbing up the trail.  I just try to keep this pace.  It's fast, but I think I can hold it...maybe.

Mile 5:  7:39.  I hit the first levy again and push.  Lord, thanks for this race.  If I finish 2nd that's okay because I'm trying my best.  I think of Jamie again and remind myself that she would be giving it her all if she were me.  I push a bit harder. 

Now, it's the last levy.  I have no idea if I'm all alone or being chased.  The finish seems so far away but I keep pushing.  For Jamie, for God, for Troy.

Mile 6:  7:24.  I finish in first place.  Wow, Lord thanks for a great day!  It's good to be done!  Praise God!