One of our cross road towns, Honor, has an annual celebration. This year they had an inaugural 5K. It was my pleasure to participate. DW and I arrived about 7:15. The coolest thing about these small races is that they are ?good ole boys/girls? events. Lisa was already stretching. John was also there and he gave us directions to the church he attends. Jeff, from one the running stores was an RD. Even though I had not pre-registered, Jeff had my bib filled out. One of the things the sponsor of the event could change: the nearest port a john was three blocks away. Fashion Report: black ribbed Batman tank top, black running shorts, cute little tec running socks and Asics some darn number or another. With clear skies and 50+ temps, we were looking forward to a good race.

We lined up for the start kind of around 8:00. The starter?s pistol miss fired and we were off??..We were called back??The second start went off well and we were off for real this time. We went one block up a gentle hill and around a corner to a real steep hill. Not a problem. ?Thunder Thigh Powers Activate!!?, I yelled. ?Form of a gazelle!...Shape of a really fast bouncy thing!???..Nothing?..(Note to self, take medication before writing race reports). Oh well, the view up the hill was breath taking, or maybe it was just us wheezing.

The rest of the course was hilly and down dirt roads. Trees provided a great deal of shade. At the half way point there was an aid station. Very few people were grabbing water, which was a surprise. Hopefully the volunteers did not have hurt feelings.

Though the course was not marked, there was a person directing us at each turn. Except one. Two school aged kids were engrossed in conversation and a few runners went past them. The kids called them back and told us to turn left. Ugh!!! God bless the kids though. Weekends are for sleeping till noon.

We approached the last stretch?and the last hill. My legs are starting to feel it, but there is no place I?d rather be. I reach in my utility belt. Let?s see?.shark repellent?squid repellent?.crocodile repellent?There it is!!! Hill repellent!!! Too late though, as I?ve already crossed the peak.

The finish line is in sight. The gas tank has nothing left in reserve. 5K- 26:10. As it was a good time, the time was OK. DW and I stayed for the awards. Medals went two deep in each AG. We did not stay long enough to see how I did in my AG or OA. I wasn?t worried about it.

After the race we drove into Frankfort. There?s a café/coffee shop called ?Trick Dog? and enjoyed Brazilian Stuffed French Toast. They have outdoor seating high on top of a hill and overlooking Betsie Lake. Nothing compared to the view of my wife?s smile though.

We found the church John directed us to. Then we spent the rest of the day with Mom as we sprung her from the nursing home for the afternoon and then dinner.



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Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP

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