Jog Days of Summer

I ran this hot, hilly 5K today at Chastain Park and what made it far more tolerable was my friends Joy and Sasha who wanted to do it with me.
My Atlanta Track Club membership came in handy, because one of them got to use my guest pass. I was hoping both of them could use it, but one of the codes didn't work. Oh well.
I think every year I consider NOT running this one. But since it is a free to track club members race, it's hard to skip it.
Sasha and Joy are both stronger runners than I am. They got ahead of my shortly after the start. I caught up to one or both of them at some point on the course, but in the end they were about a minute ahead of me at the finish.
No matter! It's more fun to do these races with friends.

Sasha, Joy and me

Sasha, Joy and I have run that crazy midnight race together, too, and this morning we decided we would do it again this year. I'll try to remember I agreed to do it happily when I'm waking up at midnight that night to go run a race! ha!
This race was hot and hilly (although not as humid as it's been in other years). What makes it more fun for me is doing it with running buddies.
I am so thankful I have various friends who do races with me. I'll be doing a race next week with Kellie. And the weekend after that it's one with friends Ellie and Dave.
I'm signed up to do a half marathon in April in Kentucky and my friend Peggy asked if I wanted company. I surely do! So we're doing that one together. We ran Seattle together earlier this year.
Running + Friends = Happiness. Even in the dog days of summer!