Notes
The Forest Grove Turkey Trot was my first Virtual race in the Covid 19 pandemic era. Originally scheduled on the campus of Pacific Union College, the race was forced to go virtual after Oregon Governor Brown banned outdoor social gatherings in Washington County.
The race rules allowed running on any course, so I chose the Healdsburg High School track for its familiarity and kind surface. I planned to run at a good tempo training pace but abandoned that idea once crossing the start line. Instead, I raced with desperation for the entire route. I never checked my watch until the final lap, yet was able to get the pacing right by feel: 7:24, 7:30, 7:30, and the stretch 0.12 mile in 6:49.