RACE: U Can Finish 5 Miler @36:40

[This entry is ATF.]

This is my second year running the UCF 5 Miler. It's one of those refreshing, out-of-town races. The course was different this year, and I saw fewer people from the East Coast that I knew, but at least I got there on time this time -- I woke up at 5:30am, and was out the door by 5:45.

Nothing spectacular about the race... slow first mile (7:45) but I was able to pick it up on the second half and kicked the last quarter mile.

I was able to see Jen from the Cocoa Beach camp, and we ran a 40-minute trail cooldown, which I'm totally counting as an extra 5 miles. It's like seeing a friend after a long time and catching up on things only to realize that y'all're better friends with some time away... (does that make any sense?). Anyways, I had a very nice time running with Jen that morning.

Afterwards, I called Herb to say that I'd be heading over to his house to get cleaned up. I got ridiculously lost... again. I've been to his house three times before (I've driven each time) and each time I've gotten lost. What's wrong with me?! Heh, it's funny though. I don't think that I'm going to get lost the next time, whenever that'll be.

I then headed to Pom Pom's for lunch. Pom wasn't there, but Morgan, Danny, and __omg-i-forgot-his-name__ were working. I got the #5 triple decker (sans cheese), with both the german potato and asian slaw as sides. Danny made the comment that I seemed to be more consumed as far as time and energy goes. I am... still trying to figure out what I want to do... didn't know how to explain it, so I just didn't... just said 'yup' or something to that effect. Morgan gave me a hug, but I found out what that was about when I got to the Enzian...

3:30pm showing of Half Nelson at the Enzian. This is one of those movies that shows what movies should be. Half Nelson tells the story an inner-city history teacher (Ryan Gosling) who, in addition to inspiring the children, happens to smokes crack. It's about his relationship (friendship/nonfriendship) with one of his students (Shareeka Epps). Ryan Gosling was gorgeous throughout the film and hopefully (hopefully!) will get one of the best actor nods this year.


It was to home after that. The next day, I went online to search out my race pics... pretty horrendously scary... if I train more, then perhaps I wouldn't be so strained-looking. Oh well. The early pics of me look semi-half-decent.

Anyways, the entire day was an interesting (exciting perhaps?), and a nice way to cap a race-oriented weekend, short as it was.

Oh, btw... remember the mention of the hug?

A couple at the theatre started talking about Pom Pom's... out-of-the-blue as far as I knew, then pointed out the sticker to me. Thanks Morgan. It worked.