Notes
Clarksburg is a historic town on the Sacramento Delta. The 5K course starts from downtown Clarksburg, population 366, before looping country roads surrounded by vineyards.
The races have a large following, reflected by the participation of many running clubs in the greater Sacramento area. These groups provided the 20 pre-teens, including four chicks, that outran me!
My training has suffered since running a half-marathon in September. So, I was not surprised with a late 24-minute finish. I accept that my old 23-minute finishes will soon be the new 25s.
The trip highlight was meeting with Dr. Fred & LeAnn, my horseracing partners, and great friends, at the Slough House Kitchen. The Diane wine flowed, and we shut the place down.
I loved rehearing Dr. Fred’s 63-year-old tale of running the final leg of a 4X880 relay against bitter rivals Stanford and Cal. He led into the stretch on the final lap, only to die a horrible death in the last 50 yards. And finish last.
I know that feeling, spent while trying to finish the last quarter mile in my Vancouver half-marathon. In horseracing parlance, I stopped on a dime and gave change. Fortunately, I have the experience to run a considered 5K. Well, usually.