06 4th 5k

We wake up early and get ready to go. To even things out today, Troy will do a pre-race bike ride to the start and I will push Anna in the jogging stroller during the race. This way both of us have to work extra hard in the race, overcoming the physical challenges of tired legs or pushing a stroller. Soares Cup points are on the line. Of course this is friendly competition but we will each do our best to kick each other's ..backsides (=

I'm so excited to be here! A lot of my college teammates from UC Davis are here racing, too. In fact, Suzanne Segesta encouraged us to do it. The course goes along the 1.1 mile parade loop of Redwood City's 4th of July celebration. A lot of parade spectators are already sitting along the route. They'll watch us race and then watch the parade.

I get to the registration area/starting line and I run into Jesus Aguilera who is the father of Pablo Aguilera. Pablo ran on my Cross Country team at Woodside High and his father was a huge supporter! It's so great to see him and introduce him to Troy and Anna Rose. Jesus is racing today too.

I had a great ride to the start. Early morning on the 4th means no cars on the rode, I made fast time on a beautiful day. I connect up with Robin and Anna and we go for a warm-up run. My foot hurts a lot (as usual). I always have to fight that feeling to just bag it. It's not easy to be excited about doing something that's uncomfortable, requires constant focus on God, and that hasn't been prepared for. But I feel God's urging and know He has some reason for me learning to focus on Him during difficultly while smiling. It's tough but I admit, it has really helped me endure other difficulties in life.

I run into UCD teammate Suzy Jones before the race and meet her little boy, Aidan. As we line up for the race, I'm amazed at the number of jogging strollers out here! It's a cool sight. I line up with Suzanne, Shannon, Teresa, Suzy, Troy and Anna Rose. The gun shot rings out and we are off. It's a little tricky starting out in a crowd with a stroller. I make a bee-line for the outside edge of the racers and find some extra space. I'm trying to push it without spending too much energy. I want to see how the first loop goes before I change my speed. I see some strollers up ahead and they are moving fast. I see Suzanne and Troy disappear into the distance...go guys! The course is packed with parade spectators they are cheering us on and encouraging us. Anna must be having fun looking around...there are a lot of people to see! I tell her good job and tell her she is a good girl. As I am finishing up the first loop, I see Mary Jordan from Woodside High where I taught. She shouts "go Robin!". What a nice surprise! I smile and say hi.

Now that I know the course, I try to push a little harder on the second loop. I see a mom pushing a stroller ahead. I work on trying to get to her. I'm running with Teresa and Karen for part of the second loop...it's fun running with the girls. It's getting spread out now which gives us more room. I see Mary again and smile.

Last lap, the other mommy is right there and I surge to get ahead. I tell her good job. She's pushing an older child and has a lot more work to do...she's doing great! I try to push harder and feel like I'm running faster but it's hard to tell. "Good job Anna, we are almost done!". I push hard and head for what I think is the finish line. Where is it? Oh no, I'm going to do another lap! I see the narrow finish line go by and I make a u-turn and find my way back...it's tougher with a stroller and I try not to run anyone over. I cross the line and I get 1st place for the "Single Baby Jogger Division". Wow, what a surprise!!

The gun goes off and everyone bolts. Including 2 guys with strollers that set a blistering pace up ahead. Robin is right behind me for a ways. I cheer her on and tell her to look for open road to the left. I'm focusing on God, looking ahead and up, and trying to smile. The foot starts hurting but doesn't get bad. One thing I've learned is how to find other ways to go fast without pushing too hard... using good form, minimizing bouncing, running the tangents. Still it's weird, it's crazy, to be running a 6min pace when my last track workout was years ago. If I slowly run 200yds in practice, the pain brings me to a stop. But in a race I can 3 or more miles without stopping! I'm on the 2nd lap and thanking the Lord for allowing this workout. I think I'm going faster each lap. There's the girls, Shannon and Suzy running together. And Amol Saxena. And then I hear an old friend... it's Jeff Holt from Cal Poly. I'm in my final sprint, gasping, so have a hard time saying hi. I finish. Wow, that was really hard, everything I had. Thank you Lord for letting me put it all out there. It's not a winning time but it's a best effort of which I feel very proud. I get to catch up with Jeff, hearing about his baby similar in age to Anna! And then I see Robin come in.. wow, she won her division! How cool!

I find Troy and the UCD gang and chat. We find out that the guy second overall was pushing a baby jogger...Amazing! It was a good day for everyone. Suzanne and Karen also won their divisions(=

As Troy talks with Jeff, I head over to say hi to Mary Jordan. I see Gary the caretaker for my old Portola place. He's also a policeman out enjoying the parade scene. Mary and I catch up a bit. Next thing I know, Troy tells me that the top finishers are paraded around the loop before the actual parade starts...what a treat! Anna and I climb in the back of a Redwood City truck along with Suzanne and her daughter Sophia, Beth and her daughter Elisa (close to Anna's age), and Shannon. We head around the parade route waving to the crowds and chatting...what fun! Thanks God for such a great day! He's really made everything work out so well!

Anna, Troy and I decide to watch a bit of the parade with Mary Jordan. There are two highlights. One is seeing Tyler and B.J. from the Amazing Race as the Parade Marshalls. Tyler went to Woodside High and all of us are so proud of him! The whole town is proud! The second one is seeing our men and women of the military. We are so proud of them too for sacrificing for us all.

Well, it's my turn to get a bike ride in. I have the Vineman Full Aqua Bike in a little over a month...better get busy again(= Troy and Anna drive home and I'm off.