Bethany Freedom Run, Bethany, OK As you know I haven't been training and wanted to just run and have fun. Also, hoping that running it will provide some more focus and motivation. 42:58 was my time for the 8K (they had a 3K and 8K). 12/22 in my age group. Here's a summary. I woke up feeling unusually sluggish. Usually I'm up and ready to go most mornings. I started off very slow just to get going. Then about 1K began to pick it up. At about 3K a young kid in cargo shorts passes me. I'm thinking, "Cargo shorts? I'll be passing him back later in the race." Then I hear someone behind me hacking and coughing and really sounds like struggling. A few steps later a young woman passes me. She is hacking up a storm. I stay with her for quite a while thinking to myself that she can't hold out much longer. Around 4K I'm starting to feel pretty good and pick it up considerably. I'm going for my patented kick at the end. I pass the hacker and am moving up on cargo shorts. Cargo shorts and I strike up a conversation while he stays up with me...we've got about 2K to go. Wanting to leave him in the dust I pick it up even more...I'm feeling good at this point. I turn the corner for the home stretch and see a huge long steep hill in front of me. I surge up. But about half way up I begin to die. My heart rate begins to soar and I have no choice but to back off. It's not long before cargo shorts passes me...I can't stay with him. Then with about 2 blocks to go, Hacker passes me!! Oh, well ...I finish 42:58 and go to congratulate both of them on their fine finish. Gotta post the fashion of the day....white starter tee, starter shorts (can't remember if they were navy or black....big penalty for this I know) underarmour compression shorts (they just feel so good), lucky Big Peach Running Co. hat, underarmour socks, orange (actually I think it's called Sienna) and black Asics 2130, and a smile.

It is often the races within the race than make the event more fun and exciting. Congrats on catching cargo shorts and holding him and the hacker off till the very end. Sounds like you had a greta time! Jay

You have a wonderful competitive spirit but are quick to go congratulate those who bested you. That's a real runner in my book. Well done. Spareribs

evryday, I ran this race last year. This year I rode in the Tour of Payne with YDD or I would have run it again this year. It is a nice race on a nice rolling course. Glad you had a great race. Are you planning any more summer races in OKC? Are there any races up in your section of the state? Paul

Rolling course? Seemed relatively flat until that hill beginning at the base of 23rd street at Overholser. That thing seems like a mile long straight up! I wasn't ready or prepared for that. Lot's of fun though. Paul, I don't have any definate racing plans for the OKC area. I am thinking about the Brookhaven run in Norman and/or the Geico Freedom Run 10K but have not committed to them. Watonga has the Great Rat Race which I have never done, but would like to. I believe the next race in Northwest OK may be the Run for Shelter 5K...either Sept. or Oct.

Good job on an 8K well-run, in spite of being caught at the finish by a couple of runners who were obviously much younger (that's gotta be the reason, right?). So when are you going out shopping for a new pair of cargo shorts?

What I want to know is, did the hacker light up a cigarrette afterward? Even without training for it, you did pretty darn well - great job!