This is my third 10K and I think I prefer 5Ks more. I may be training for a long distance race right now, but I think when I'm doing a shorter distance race, I want it to actually be short and sweet. The 10K is difficult. It's just long enough that you have to think about endurance and pacing. But it's also short enough that you want to race it and really push. I don't like the distance right now, but I think it is probably a useful distance to run for maybe when I'm actually thinking about racing the really long distances (which is not anytime soon).

I am tired now! This was a multi-race holiday break. A 5K on Thanksgiving, and today a 10K to kick off the shopping weekend (okay, I started on Black Friday). But I am tired with a sense of satisfaction, because I medaled in my age group (25-29) today. I came in second, about 7 minutes behind the leader, but I came in second! I was 70th overall, which puts me right smack dab in the middle of the pack, yeah! Okay, end victory dance.

This was the third annual San Dimas Turkey Trot at Bonelli Regional County Park in San Dimas, home of Raging Waters. Not that Raging Waters has anything to do with the race.

So, wow! What a great effort for a young event that started with 80 entrants the first year, double that the second, and 400 entrants this year. It's a multi-race event actually. A 5K and 10K today, and a Triathlon tomorrow. Something for everyone. I'm a little surprised this is not more popular, but I guess it's not in the most highest profile of locations. It is however going to keep growing, I'm sure.

The course is on a great big, well-maintained park, with a lake and some forest-y areas. It's man-made I think, and it's somewhat of a humble park if you compare it to the ultra nature-y trails parks, but it's quite beautiful and thoughtfully constructed. Most of the paths were paved, when you get to the trails, it's just real inspiring. One of my friends said she missed her goal time by six seconds because she had to stop and take in the scenery. I ran through a section that made me say "wow" because of how peaceful and secluded it felt. There were several inclines that proved challenging - not scary, but you really had to account for it while running.

Course aside, my other favorite thing about this race is their snack layout at the end. Water. Check. Bananas. Check. Pretzels. Nice... check. PUMPKIN PIE. CHECK!!! And a couple of coolers filled with Hansen soda.

The race was chip-timed and ran like clockwork. Results came out fast. Medals for the age group and overall winners. Well-designed t-shirt. A fun master of ceremony. There was costume contest (Best Pilgrim, Best Indian, and Best Turkey). This is organized by the same people, Renegade Racing, that will be organizing the Pasadena Marathon, btw.

So keep keeping this race a secret, because me and my friends want to sweep the leaderboards next year. Don't let those fast people know about this one ;-)

P.S. Felt great wearing my new shoes today. Best idea ever deciding to buy shoes on Black Friday. Yey!

P.P.S. This replaces my 5-mile long run for the week. I will round it out with a pajama recovery run tomorrow.