Marion Half Marathon

Two races back to back this weekend. RunningWild organized the first MUSCO Community 5K around Finkbine golf course on Saturday. Kim S and I ran together. I was supposed to be her pacer, but actually, I felt like she was my pacer. It was a good race and my foot did not bother me much. Finished the race in first place in my age group (we were only two runners in my age group). There were about fifty runners. Dam to downtown race was taking place concurrently. Dan was running the 10 K race  from the dam. The race started after we heard the star-spangled banner and there was a moment of silence to remember those in Boston. Knowing the route made me very comfortable during the run. Kim got first place in her age group too. She is a very good runner and she is almost my age. 

There were many cars driving to the Marion High School where the marathon was starting on Sunday morning. Fortunately, there was plenty of parking for everybody. This High-School must have a lot of students. Found Jen F and decided to run together. Again, I was supposed to pace her. We ran most of the race together.  There were times where I did not know where she was, and there were times where she wanted to pass me. The temperature was cold. But, I decided to run in shorts. There were times where we felt ice coming down. The wind blowed against us for several miles. But hope made us continue thinking at some point we would have the wind pushing us on our backs. The race was very well organized and there were enough water and GU stations. We met Ben around mile 11 and we all ran together. I saw a very young girl running together with her dad and I really wanted to pass her.  They accelerated the last mile, and I had to go even faster. There were two young girls finishing behind me, one was nine and the other one eleven years old!  Amazing young women!
I was number six in my age group. Don't think I could have done better running solo.  I enjoyed running with Jen and helping her with the tough miles. People along the marathon were cheering runners up. It's nice to see so many people running and also spectators watching the runners. The finish line was in a beautiful track inside a stadium.
My foot did not really bothered me. I just felt my legs pretty stiff by mile 9 or 10. I hope that track work helps me moving those legs and keeping them strong and flexible.