This is my 5th year running the Legend's races. The first 3 years I ran the 5k and the past two years I have run the 10k with good results. Unfortunately, I don't think they do a good job of marking/measuring the course, so even when I get a PR here, I hesitate to claim it. Anyway, on to today. On race days, I usually like to get up and do a 2 mile shake-out run 3 hours before the race. Unfortunately, that meant I had to hit the pavement at 4:30. Then, insult to injury -- just as I head out the door, crash of thunder, lightining and a torrential downpour. ABOUT FACE! I am no shrinking violet, but I don't run in lightning. S o, took a 40 minute catnap on the sofa. CamScam and I headed off to the race and got there at 6:30. Off for our warm-up -- we headed out for about a 1.5 mile loop (partially on the course). CamScam turned around at 0.5 (1 mile warm-up is plenty for him). At the start, I look around and there aren't a lot of speedsters and it is a VERY light turnout. Only 142 runners combined in both races. Give CamScam a double fist pound and tell him to run smart. Summary for CamScam from the Garmin that he wore (I didn't). 20:49 for 12th OA and 1/1 in his AG. I won't let him call it a 5k PR because the garmin measured it at 2.96. They really need to do a better job!!! On to my race. One thing that is troubling about running the 10k in this race is that the first 1.5 miles or so have the 5k/10k combined. You only know who you are competing against when you come to the 5k turnaround cone. So, we take off and Brian shoots out like always. Although, he is running th 5k, so I let him go a bit. There is a youngster sitting right on his shoulder and then a masters speedster and then me. Hmm, Brian is running the 5k. I am GUESSING the youngster is running the 5k. Don't know about the other master -- so, I go with him and sit a couple strides back. First mile comes for Brian in around 5:23. Not bad for him. As for the rest of the race for Brian, he tried surging on the kid at 2 miles. The kid covered it and took off to beat Brian by 14 seconds. My first mile is 5:29! That is a bit fast for an opening mile in a 10k when my PR is 5:47 a mile. Oh well, just keep running. Still in 4th and Brian is still leading with the youngster on his shoulder. Now we come to the turnaround. Brian turns, the kid turns. What will the master do??? We approach the cone, he swings wide and turns and heads back. It's just me -- looks like I am running by myself. At least I have a bike in front of me to follow (more on that later). Mile 2 comes in 5:43. Just trying to settle in, closest competitor (another MN RED runner name Mike is at least 200 yards back at this point). During mile 3, my lead cyclists begins the chat. Nice conversation between deep breathes. He learns my name, what I do for a living, the fact that I ran the race last year, that I know the course, that 2nd place is a friend of mine, etc. Glad I wasn't battling, cuz this would have killed me. Back to the race... Mile 3 comes in 5:00 -- see comment above about marking the course. Sorry, I am not buying this one. I mention it to my chatty leader and he just says, "I didn't mark the course." It matters not, just keep running. Mile 4 comes in 5:56 -- split the difference? Mile 5 comes in 5:54 -- Left, right -- Left, right! At this point the other runners are running parallel (1 street over) to me but still going out. I look across and it appears that Mike is about 1/4 mile back. Looks like 2nd is a lock for him! Keep running -- now the lead cyclist is announcing to everyone my name and the fact that I am leading. Feels kind of nice! Get a couple of hoots from the sparse crowd. Mile 6 comes in 5:57 Last 0.214 (???) in 1:08 for a time of 35:07. I will call that a 43 second course PR, but given the accuracy of the course measurement for the 5k -- will hold off on the 10k PR. Afterwards there was a pancake breakfast (included in the entry fee) and awards. I got a nice trophy and a certificate (for the AG win). CamScam got an AG certificate. It was a good day for MN RED also. Melissa was 2nd female OA. Coach Ron was 7th OA and won his AG. I think we may have had three more AG winners (including 37 YO Mike who was mislabled at 57). Wish KeeMan could have been there to battle in the 5k -- but he has taken the last 10 week off after track. His summer training starts tomorrow. THANKS for reading.

We love the HermosaClan RR's!!!Lots of powerful runners in the MN area.

Congratulations to you and your son Hermosaboy! If you can chat it up with the lead runner cyclist escort then I am saying you are going under 32 Sweet racing! Karin

Ditto times 84! That was a lot of info you gave out while motoring down the course!

Nice running Rob. Now you are just toying with everyone now....running the same pace as the leaders in the 5K, and then when you are alone, having a conversation with the bicycle people. Who was it that coined the phrase anyway, "Just shut up and run"? I guess we will have to wait for another 10K where you will have some major competition, the course is certified, and you practice what you preach Then you will most certainly go well under 35:00! Keep it going, my friend! John

Too bad about the course marking/ measurement. But still, a real good race for you. I don't know how you can chat and race at the same time! Congrats on another strong showing! huskydon