The race went great, long steep hill (I was thankful we'd been doing a lot of hill workouts) and then a LONG downhill (which pounded my knees at times) You're running so fast down the hills you're basically just steering a runaway train and hoping the wheels don't fall off. The following is a funny account of the race written by my training buddy, Pat Farrance:
"Congratulations to all participants in the Firecracker 10K in Santa Cruz yesterday, especially Troy Soares.
Troy was lofted upon the shoulders of many cheering fans when it was announced that he, Troy, had won the event in 31:42. Like the true hero Troy posed for many photographs, signed autographs, as he pointed to the computer generated results sporting his name at the very top of the list.
Troy recalled each step of the race citing how he ran as hard as a could, giving it his all and thanked the organizing committee for a job well done. As two huge men struggled with lifting the trophy towards Troy, a small man wearing black rimed glasses held together with white tape stepped out in front the race director and muttered something to him. There was a delay, a strange hush fell over the once jubilant crowd. After a few moments the race director approached the microphone and with two words he destroyed Troys world, COMPUTER ERROR. Yes the very thing that employs Troy, gave and took from him in the very same day, his first victory in a 10K".