barefoot?

I'm always being teased about walking in my Birks. The young women in the photo did the Tortoise and Hare 5K today in Wind Gap, barefoot! It was hot and humid, with minimal shade. I can't even imagine how hot the macadam was.

But that's the race, I guess we should start at the beginning.

I forgot my camera. The washer broke before I left the house and Bonnie called she was on her way and I just ran out without it. Eeek. Good thing I had my phone. Pictures are low resolution, but better than nothing.

We arrive in Wind Gap about 8:30. The race started at 9. I rarely take the event tee shirt because frankly they are ugly. Enormous logo on the front, and what seems like 400 sponsors on the back. I regretted that today. The tees were black, and made from performance material. Since I didn't take a tee, I also didn't get a goodie bag. Again, which is normally fine. It's generally plastic, and filled with ads, a sample chapstick, sunscreen and a box of Mike and Ikes. Today's was a cloth string type backpack. Might actually be useful.

Sharon waited in the park while Bonnie went searching for the comfort station and I hiked the stuff back to the car. When I got back I took the second pix. Looks like they don't like each other. Lots of room in between! Then I had Sharon snap one of us.

They had people taking pictures at the 2-mile line and the finish line, so I'll come back and post links for them.

The course was hilly, not steep, but hilly anyway. And Sunny. Bonnie and I were hoping to do 50 minutes, but she came in at 53:49 I think, and I came in at 54:10. The last stretch was tough. I was spent. I think I was a little dehydrated. I told Bonnie to go on ahead. I was very puffy at the end. When I took off my socks and sneakers at home even my ankles were swollen.

We told Sharon at the beginning that she was on her own. We'd go back for her. She's a bit pokey. She actually didn't walk to the starting line, but joined us when we got to the park. She bailed at the 2-mile mark. I'm not sure if they even got her picture walking. We were on the home stretch when she called. We were a bit surprised when the sweep van, an ambulance, didn't bring her in. She told them that we'd get upset if she wasn't waiting there for us. She had a phone. All she needed to do was call for Pete's sake.

Bonnie and I had hoped she'd say no more 5Ks but she's joining us on the Monster Mash in October. Swell.

Our next 5K is the Highmark on June 12. Then a 4-mile on July 4th.