I had sat down to put on my shoes this morning when I heard it. Rain. Awwww hellllll…and here I was, already up and showered and dressed. At 6AM. On a perfectly good Saturday. I took my shoes off, with the intention of going straight back to bed. Then I put them back on. It could let up by the time the race starts. Besides, I thought…I’ve already paid my twenty bucks and I’m going to get my t-shirt!

When I stepped outside, I realized that tights and sleeves would have been more appropriate attire than the running shorts and tank top I had chosen. I’m late now…no time to change. Off I went, banana, powerbar and gatorade in hand.

Backwards. That’s how the entire run went. I totally cruised through the first mile…11:35 at the split. Nice! 23:37 at the second split. Not bad. I was well on my way to a PR…until my shoe came untied. First the left, then the right, and then the left one again. Unbelieveable. Then that hill at mile 2.5…brutal, is all I can say. Actually, I said a little more than that. When I turned the corner and saw that hill, I uttered an expletive that the nearby traffic cop apparently found quite humerous.

Unlike last weekend, when I had some left over at the finish, this one could not be over quickly enough. My arms were heavy (what’s up with that?) and I could feel the blood pounding in my eyes. 37:07. Dammit. Seven lousy seconds off a PR. I wonder if they make running shoes with velcro instead of laces…

Got my damn t-shirt though.