The Best Time

Saturday morning broke clear and cool.  Nearly a cloudless sky.  Today was the Mountain Valley 10 miler, the track club's signature spring event.  You couldn't ask for a better morning.  I arrived a bit late (for me), the smell of bbq chicken in the air. The local ruritan club holds its fund drive the same day. 

After checking in and a little socializing it was race time.  Most of the usual were there. Those hard core lean runners ready to beat the world. And then there was the rest of us or maybe just me.  I resided myself to the fact that I'll probably be last again. Old and under trained is getting to be my norm. Our good friend George had made his way "over the mountain" from Charlottesville, still rehabbing his leg from earlier surgery, he wanted to see what he could do.  Mike who had promised to run/walk with George was absent due a foot injury so I stepped up to fill in.  I knew I wasn't in shape to set any Pr's so I felt I'd "sacrifice" my time to hang out with George.
The gun sounded at 8am sharp and the 20 plus runners took off into the country side.
Mountain Valley is a tough course..one of the toughest in the Valley.  It's a beautiful run but hilly.  Out Indian trail over Belluah Hill to Mountain Valley road through Happy Valley then back to the ruritan club it's a challenging run for all.
But today was a day to just take in  all of nature's glory and hang with some good friends.  The cyclist taking part in the DR100 were passing us regularly with many well wishes...heck even the local traffic were friendly. Giving us waves of recognition and thumbs up for our efforts.
With the conversation flowing like our sweat the miles past with unusual ease. Work, family and friends were the topics of the day. Catching up with the latest happenings and gossip while pushing ourselves over the ridges and through the vallies.  Before long
we were in sight of the finish line.  With a exchange of thank you's we crossed the finish together..sharing the honor of final finishers.  But who cared?  Today was a day for friends and fellowship . A day where the ability to put one foot in front of the other was appreciated. A day when sharing time was cherished.
Sometimes your best time is when you don;t care about time at all!
Shuffle on friends