5k! Surf City, baby!

Remember when Skinny Runner ran two marathons in a weekend? 

Remember when Emily Sweat Once A Day did an Olympic Triathlon the day after her 100 mile bike ride and her 10 mile run?  

Remember when EMZ did her 24 hour treadmill run?  

 Yeah...my weekend was equally impressive.  Raced two 5ks.  ;).   THAT'S 6.2 MILES for you English System users out there!!!!

5k #2 was a freaking ton of fun.   Well organized, had a 4th of July parade right afterwards so super festive atmosphere.  Parking was a B, but hey, it's Southern California.

The race was a pretty much a non-story.  I warmed up and did some striders.  I knew Pam was doing the race but didn't see her.  The race started and as always, I shot out a little too fast at 6:30 for mile 1.  Not unreasonable but too fast for what I could do today.

I noticed a woman in front of me with a cute stride (Pam really runs cute.  Sorry Pam, it's true.) and with a giant red white and blue poof on her head.  IT'S PAM!!!

I passed her, and then that speedy B passed me right back around mile 2.5.  I should know better than to underestimate her speed!

Anyways, she finished at 20:56 and I finished at 21:10.  Both 3rd in our age groups, 17th and 19th women respectively!
Here's a pic.  Cute or Crazy?  We report, you decide.  

Lady Liberty and Ms. America Poms 

I did PR this weekend...by 8 seconds.  Even this super lame PR makes me a bit happy.  It drives me nutso that I haven't broken 21 yet.   Honestly breaking 20 is a dream but I don't know if it'll ever happen.
But...it was a fun race.   And I think with a little more work and a little more rested legs, I can hope to continue improving.

On another note, I'm pleasantly surprised with Orange County's rockin' 4th celebrations.  I feel that So Cal has so much going on that people tend to be pretty apathetic towards stuff like holidays.   But that is definitely not the case for the 4th.  As I drove home from Long Beach after watching fireworks, I went over a bridge where I could see about 6 separate fireworks celebrations from above.  Really really freaking magical.  The millions of decked out bikes, parades, and firework stands  makes me want to belt out "God Bless The USA" by Lee Greenwood.   





Should I?
           
       Should I?  

Ok if you insist....

Cuz there ain't no doubt I love this landddd.....

            God bless the USAAAAAAAA