Five miles of smiles

For the second year, I ran this morning's Singleton 5M race with my friend Kellie.
I really like this race, sponsored by the Atlanta Track Club. It's a good stretch of the legs, and this morning's race was near perfect. It was cool, and even began to sprinkle a little. It was overcast, so there wasn't a real heat issue.

Me and Kellie before the race

I had a really good race. I came out fast in the first mile, but was able to settle in to a good race pace and finished just after an hour. I kept thinking during the race that I needed to remember that I wanted to use this pace for the half marathon in Savannah in November. I may have even talked Kellie into the race!
The ironic thing was, I stopped several times to collect found money. Seriously, if I hadn't done that, I might have come in in the hour flat that I ran the race last year. But, then I wouldn't have 48 cents in the found money pig.

The pig got a good 48 cent meal today

Kellie is a much faster runner, so she caught a couple of me at the finish.

Come in all smiles

Finished!

Kellie said she considered doing the 10 miler today, rather than the 5 miler. I was nearing the finish when the 10 mile men's winner passed me. Show off! LOL
I told Kellie she needs to do the 10 miler next year and I'll be waiting at the finish to get HER finishing photo.
In all, another great run with another great running buddy.
Yes, all smiles for those five miles.

(Almost) All smiles for five miles

Fall has arrived, officially, in Atlanta and this morning's ATC Singleton 5 Miler was glorious. A little overcast, but not too hot and not too cool.
I'd not run this 5 miler before, another Atlanta Track Club-sponsored race, but I'll be ready to run it again next year.
I ran, for the first time, with my friend Kellie.

Me and Kellie before the race

Kellie is a much faster runner with me, so she was done in about 45 minutes and was able to capture my finishing moment.

Finishing strong!

I hadn't thought I would feel as good as I did today, given the way I've felt in the past two races. But I went for a massage yesterday and my therapist really worked on my right IT band. I can tell how much it helped today. My right knee did not hurt nearly as much. And I just felt better running this race. It's good to have a race like this -- makes me remember really why I enjoy running.

And it's even better when you get to share a race with a friend.

I even found two pennies on the course. I saw another penny and a dime, but I couldn't pick those up while running. The pig got fed today!

So, I was all smiles this morning, for almost all five miles.