21st Annual Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial 5K

 Looks beautiful doesn't it? This is the Armory where you collect your number and return for a feast and some cold beer after the race. It was a cold but beautiful day Sunday. I particularly like these races with a good meaning and a lot of tradition. They did a really nice job and I kind of enjoyed the run through the city as long as you kept your eye out for potholes.

 Before the start we walked up a hill and tried to keep warm, at least I did. I was freezing! This was my crew for the day and I couldn't ask for anyone better.

The photo below amuses me a little. My smile is bigger and I just ran my ass off and haven't even stumbled back down the hill to the beer!

I have a great Runner Angel story to share. I have been running regularly and am happy with the progress but I have been feeling sometimes like I can't catch my breath, like a good deep breath in. Now this race started with an uphill that bent around a corner and continued on a slight uphill. After a short time I am actually getting a cramp in my side. WTH!?  I decide to walk to catch some oxygen and get this stitch to get the fuck out. All of a sudden I feel a person take my wrist and pull me back to a run. I had headphones in so I never heard her say a word but I went back to running and pulled ahead of her never really seeing her. I turned around, waved and yelled THANK YOU! and away I was going again. There was another large hill, LARGE just before the finish line which I powered my ass up BUT at the top again no air so I again walk a bit as I will be running across that finish line if it kills me. I have walked across many but I will not do that again. Anyway I feel this hand on my shoulder so I pull my headphones out and it is her again and all I hear her say is Your Pace.....and we are running again.

Well I finished that race at my fastest 5K time ever and I crossed the line with that woman and her running partner. I never saw her again but I would have hugged her. She helped me more than she knows. So thank you Rachel Rapoza where ever you are. 

This is inside the armory after the event. Tons of awards, crazy food and drink buffet and as I said Beer. 



I am so grateful that Karol found this photo. I have never really liked any of my racing photos......ever. I am really proud of this photo and I actually think I look like a runner. ;)

 Official stats- 34:15 with a 11:03 pace coming in 502nd out of almost 900.

BOOM!