^WHERE: Beals Point, Folsom, CA

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Today the goal is to run a strong even pace, but not push hard.  Troy and I are racing the Silicon Valley Triathlon this weekend as a relay.  He'll swim and bike and I'll run.  Today is also very hot compared to previous races.  It's low 90's and feels almost unbearable.  So overall it's a good day not to overdo it.  

We line up and listen to the course changes.  There's going to be a "mother hill" to run down and a "mother hill" to run up...oh, joy!  Diane, the race director, says it's steep but short...okay, I can handle that.  She also tells us to be sure to get water at the aid station half way. I wish I was carrying water with me now! Prudence jumps in just in time for the start.  It's amazing that she makes that long drive from Tahoe and then jumps out of her car and creams people!  She says she's parched already, too.  I start chatting with a girl next to me and realize it's the Tamara I've been seeing in the results.  She drives all the way from Davis to do this race...wow, another dedicated runner!  She's very sweet and it's nice getting to know her.  She remarks that all the fast girls are here tonight.  That's right, Prudence and Jen Pfeifer.  Jen won this race overall a month back when she was here last.

Ready, go!  We are off!  Out on another adventure.  It's not hard to hold back.  My body definitely is feeling tired and the heat is going to wear me out.  We run below the first levy where it's nice and shady.  As we follow the trail over to the other levy, we again are going to run below.  I can see we are at the "mother" downhill.  Wow, that's a pretty steep decent!  And what goes down must come up!  I can see the "mother" uphill ahead and it's steep and LONG!!  Oh man!   Soon the shade is gone and the hill is upon me.  People are walking already and I keep running to maintain some momentum to get up the hill. I feel pretty good despite the conditions and I resist powering up the hill.  Just as I think the hill is over, it continues more!  This brings back memories of running high school cross country up a particular hill in the desert town of Quartz Hill (CA).  Finally, at the top.

Mile 1: 8:43.  It's single-track and I find myself stuck behind a group of runners.  I remind myself that there is no rush to get around tonight.  I'll just wait for the trail to open up.  Little by little, I find opportunities to sneak by folks.  I make a point to encourage folks as I pass.  It's not all about me ever and I want to be reminded.

Mile 2: 8:07.  Now I'm weaving my way back to the start on familiar territory.  It's nice to have a couple of legitimate excuses not to push hard.  Still it's hard to hold back especially when caught behind another runner.  Out in the clear, the first levy is in view.  The 10K runners are running across it this loop so it's a good opportunity to see the leaders. I see Prudence and shout "good job".  I don't see Jen, she's way ahead.  I'm not surprised.  I later find out she finished top 10 at the California International Marathon multiple times!  She's definitely out of my league.

Mile 3: 8:19.  I take a Hammer Gel and grab 2 cups of water at the aid station.  Cold water, yes!  It feel so good pouring it on me but shortly I'm back to being hot and thirsty.  Lord, just help keep my body from wearing down too much. Going out the second time is tough.  The "mother" hills are looming and I'm not looking forward to them!  As I head down the first, I can see a few guys climbing up in the distance.  I'm pretty much all alone now!  I hit the climb and I'm so tempted to walk.  I'm think about how I push Anna and Ariel in the stroller up those Auburn hills and how that has prepared me for this moment.  I trudge along slowly but steadily.  The hot sun is really beating down on me now!  Climb, climb, climb!  I'm at the top...thank you Jesus!!

Mile 4: 9:08.  A minute slower this time!  I'll take it!  The next mile is tough.  I see no one ahead or behind.  I remind myself that I just need to maintain this pace.  Even if someone does appear, I need to stick to the plan.

Mile 5: 8:48.  One more mile!  As I make my way back toward the levy, I see a family in the race walking up ahead.  The little girl, about 7, looks just like her mommy.  She's wearing a top that looks like a jog bra and she's tall and lean like her mommy.  She sees me and takes off and tells her parents to run.  It's cute that she's pumped to go.  They all start running.  I catch up to her and she slows down.  I tell her to catch her mom who's now ahead.  As I catch mom, I tell her that it's great they are all working together.  A little further along I see that little girl from last week running with her dad.  She's running nice and steady.  I tell her good job and that another little girl is just behind.  It's seems like forever but I make it to the levy.

Mile 6: 8:39.  Finally I'm  up and over and across the line!  Prudence cheers me in.  Thanks God for another opportunity to race!