This is the race I was scheduled to run a 1/2 marathon at, but with my back issues and very little running since April 3 I changed course to the 5 miler a few weeks ago and at times even that seemed doubtful. Thankfully I felt good enough to run and am hopefully on the road to recovery. Basics - 5 miles in 45:56 for a 9:12 pace and 31/149 in my age group. Clothes - my red MVS singlet, black nike running shorts and white Boston Marathon cap from 2006. It was a beautiful day altho surprisingly warm for 8:30 in the morning - i was not envying the 1/2 marathoners running down Memorial Drive with no shade altho I really did want to be with them!! I started off with my 2 work friends who were also running the 5 miles -- one quickly sped ahead as planned - I tried to stay with my other friend, but she was listening to her Ipod and struggling with her breathing so I pulled ahead and ran alone. I was able to run the whole 5 with just a brief walk throught the 2 water stops!! It was a great race and I remembered to give thanks to Him for giving me enogh recovery to run this!! So cool - as I was coming down the chute I saw BobS from Maine jogging back on a recovery run - his time was blazing I'm sure - he was too far away for me to try to get his attention. Didn't see Henry or Marj today unfortunately, but we stayed along the side of the finish line to cheer on some of our work friends running the half. The one bad thing in this chute was there was an initial red chip timing mat that the announcers used to call out people's names , but many people thought that was the finish line and stopped running or slowed down --- we kept yelling for people to keep going but what a bummer for those who wanted to sprint to the end. After the race we walked to Fanueil Hall MarketPlace and at outside at the Salty Dog!! Great day and so far not feeling any backlash from running or from the yard work i just finished -- need to do some more stretching, PT exercises and maybe ice even tho it's hours since the run!!

149 in your AG? And you were 31st? Big race, and you were up there, so that's something to hang your hat on. So you saw "Mainerunnah" aka bobscamman, who as you know is my dreaded enemy. I wish you had beaten him to give me some ammo, but I bet you will take your fine race any day. Well done! Spareribs

Hey Deez! I have been thinking about you and your injury---hoping you are on the mend. You ran well and strong on a warm day. Congratulations! You have such a great spirit and even when you are hurting you are so good about mentioning and supporting others. Thanks for sharing the race details with us and I hope the road to recovery is a smooth one now. Karin

Sounds like a wise choice to cut back on the length of the race you did. You most certainly did a great job. I trust your back feels better and soon goes back to full strength. Health is best appreciated in a time of sickness. Thanks for the report and CONGRATULATIONS on a great race. Joey

that's a great suggestion Erika -- i'm going to e-mail the race director and just explain how many people we saw slow down and even stop at that initial mat -- maybe if they get enough input from people they will make some type of change henry and marj - hopefully we'll meet up at another race soon -- the price was a little steep especially since there are no refunds and last year i had to back out totally due to my leg and now this year had to drop down the distance, but i just have to remind myself the money does go to a good cause!! thanks everyone and Happy Memorial Day!!

Deez, it sounds like you were smart to opt for the 5 mile race where you sure did well. Congratulations. TomS

Denise – I know you have been having some painful issues lately and I’m so glad that you are recovering from them. Excellent racing, and it sounds like you had a great time.