This morning my alarm went off at 4:45am, the time I normally start sending some of my flight releases at work. I should have been a zombie. Good sleep eluded me, as it often does when something forces me to arise at the time normal people do. But this was race day. Adrenaline covers a multitude of complaints.

I left in the dark, my family comfortable and warm in their beds. I arrived in the dark as well, joining thousands of others just as crazy. After picking up my bib, chip timer, and swag, I shuffled to the back of the giant corral to await the starting horn with the rest of the herd. In all, 3691 runners showed up early for the Cowtown 10k, huddling together in the morning cold.

This is what 3000+ runners look like. See how far away the starting arch is?

Soon we were off. Since I got stuck in the back with the walkers and slower runners (poor planning!), it took a while to break free and reach my target pace. But soon I found myself running through the park with my pace group. The sun had emerged. Shallow fog hung like glowing ghosts over the grassy hills. I looked ahead and saw dozens of tiny breath clouds emerging from the runners, also glowing in the morning sun. I found the sight quite beautiful. We were a pack of wolves on a morning hunt. Our prey was the finish line. And endless boxes of free bananas.

I had three goals for the race. In order of priority and difficulty, they were:

1. Cross the finish line under my own power
2. Set a personal record (PR) for this distance
3. Break 50 minutes

I succeeded in the first two, and barely missed the third, finishing in 50:01. Close enough, says I.