Jacobsburg 5 and Dime

Today was just a fun and easy day for a change.  I volunteered at the Jacobsburg 5 and Dime race.  I was the sweeper for the 5 mile race.  That meant that I could get some running done, although slow running.  I brought along my GoPro for photos.

I took some photos at the start and then after everyone went by, I followed up in the back.  I talked to my friend Scott, who was biking up the hill behind the course.  He then turned off and I stayed in the back of the race.

I followed the last place lady and began chatting with her.  It was nice and easy.  When the trail went into the singletrack section, I realized that I could run to other nearby parts of the course and get photos, so that was what I did.  I got some decent ones, although I missed the leaders.

I then ran back through the singletrack to get some more photos.  I ended up trying to catch last place, but the two women were already ahead of me.  I then flew by two people walking.  I didn't realize until after I went past them, but they were in the race.  After some more photos, I backtracked and asked them if they were okay.  They were, but they were walking the whole course.

I ran some sections in reverse to get more photos.  I stopped at a water station when I got there and talked with the people there for a bit and told them about the walkers.  I then ran over and took photos of some people finishing, since I wasn't too far from the finish.

I was stopping my watch at times, when I stopped running.  People kept asking me for the time or mileage, but my watch wasn't accurate.  After taking photos, I went back to check on the walkers.  They still had not come through the tough singletrack section.

I found them right as they came out of there.  They said that that part was tough.  I chatted and walked with them briefly.  I then tried to check on the others that were running.  I ran through the creek to save time.

Everyone was just about done.  I managed to see the 10 mile leader coming in as I was on the other side of the loop.  He had a huge lead.  By the time I got to the last turn, no one was there yet.  Finally, second place and so on came in.

I thought about running back out and taking photos along the way.  Instead, I talked to this guy Randy for quite awhile.  He was directing everyone on which way to go.  I considered going to the other way so that I could catch Sarah and run back with her.  She was sweeping the 10 mile course.  I decided just to stay put.

It wasn't much of a run for me, but it was a fun day going all around.  It sure helped that I know the trails and could cut through everywhere.  I got some pretty good photos, although I had to crop them.  Some people got lost and cut the course a bit in the 10 miler.  All in all, I think people enjoyed the race though.

After an easy run, I felt the need to get out in the evening.  Instead of running, I elected to ride my bike.  It was humid earlier, but breezy by this time.  It was a nice and solid 12 mile ride.  The pace was decent too.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to make it to Eddyside to run with Mertz.  He's just doing 10 miles.  I might try to run 12 miles.  I don't think the pace will be too brisk.  I have to work shortly after that.  I need to rest up quite a bit this week.  I won't run long, but I may run fast.  It's hard to believe that the 50 miler isn't much more than a week away.

3.68 miles - 45:18 (12:19 pace)