We had a most excellent running experience last night in the Mountain Home 5 mile race. Monica, Dave, Brittney, Jenny, and Scott all placed!! That was really exciting. I was the only one who didn't, which isn't particularly surprising but also doesn't really bother me that much. Even so, I will describe my physical and mental processes here.

I arrived at the race lacking confidence, feeling tired and grumpy, experiencing the tail end of a sinus headache and still mad because the race was more expensive than I had anticipated. This attitude extended through the first couple of miles of the race: I was stressing it, which never helps, and I was feeling really tired and angry that I even had to be doing this. Finally, at about mile 2.25 or so, I decided that I had found a good pace. It wasn't killing me. Instead, my speed hovered just below my frustration threshold, which, I think, has been particularly low lately. I stayed at the same tempo until the beginning of mile 5, where I started to struggle a bit with pacing. I wanted to go faster but had emotional issues. I think I really haven't figured how far I can push it and still sustain a speed for any length of time. I need to figure this out, because it's a huge source of frustration for me.

I didn't sleep well last night. I woke up several times and had to drag myself to running group this morning. I didn't eat anything before the run. I was supposed to do an easy 40 minutes but even found Melissa's 10-mile pace someone difficult to keep up with at first. The way back was fine until I was about 1.2 miles out: my stomach started feeling a bit sour. Even so, I made it in, but left early to go find something to eat, to take a shower, and (I was dreaming when I thought I would have time to do this) go see my baby before our lunch at noon.

This is my official 30th birthday. The Alzheimer's Walk was at the park where we start and finish our Saturday runs, and the DJ for the event was Maclean Flood, a guy who I know because he has dated two of my friends at different times. (That's so creepy!) I spoke with him after the run, told him it was my birthday, and he played a song for me about turning 30! It's a fabulous song and has officially become my theme for the day. See below and listen, if you like.