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Twilight Run in Havertown - race #6

    It was a great night for an evening run on May 7 at the third annual Twilight 5K Run in Havertown.  A week after the Blue Cross Broad Street Run, I was happy to race on another mostly flat and straight course.  Temps were in the low 70s and over 200 runners, along with many walkers, were gathered at Haverford High School.  The school's jazz band entertained the crowd before the race, which benefited the Haverford Education Foundation.  A happy surprise while picking up my race bib was seeing my friend Kathy, who had just an hour before decided to run.  It's always more fun to run with someone.  (See video & photos of the race at http://tinyurl.com/66e4feb).
     After the 1-mile Kids Run, we lined up on Mill Road in front of the school.  Just before the start, I noticed that the sky was getting darker and the wind was picking up.  Since I ran once this spring in the rain, I was ok with a little precipitation but hey, I just got new sneakers!  Gratefully the rain never fell, except for a few drops, though the headwind I felt once we made a right onto Darby Road didn't make things easy.  I started out faster than usual and Kathy, who's an accomplished runner, help push me to try harder.  Once we reach E. Benedict Avenue, we turned around and headed back down Darby Road.  Friends and family (including my mom and Kathy's brothers Brian and Mike), who were offering support at the start, had walked down to in front of the Haverford Library at the corner of Darby and Mill roads.  
     Heading down the two-lane road, the wind was now at my back, and I kept that in mind as I passed Brookline Boulevard and then the Skatium.  Once we hit E. Mercer Avenue, I noticed a slight decline as I ran towards West Chester Pike.  The route is pretty flat, but it's not completely flat!  Reaching E. Park Road, we turned around again and headed up the incline and towards the finale.  My goal was to finish below 28 minutes, and I felt that by my level of exhaustion, I was nearing that goal.  Nearing Valley Road, I noticed a group of kids who had formed a high-five assembly line.  Swerving towards the sidewalk, I slapped all their hands and their encouragement made me smile and propelled me to wrap up this race.
     Turning right onto Mill Road, I struggled to find any more speed, but Kathy was there to guide me along.  As I neared the time clock, I noticed that it read 27:49!  With a little more effort, I crossed the finish line with a time of 27:51.  My best time this season, and as I later learned, my best 5K ever!  My previous record was 27:54 at the Merry Place 5K Run in Havertown in October 2009.  I have to keep running in this town!
     
     Next up is the Elwyn 5K this Saturday, which benefits the foundation's health and fitness programs for clients and staff by supporting exercise classes and promoting active lifestyles.  Two more races to go!
     




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