Our hectic kids’ soccer schedule (which I wouldn’t trade for the world) has certainly slowed down the number of road races we are able to run however yesterday the soccer calendar called for a 3PM game so we were able to make our way to Norwood for the Run for a Vet Five Mile race. This race also happened to be our running club (Thirsty Irish Runners) Grand Prix race for the month of May so it was great to see so many familiar faces at the starting line.

The race kicked off at 10AM after a few speeches by some veterans, the national anthem performed by a local high school band and an introduction to the non-profit organization 22 Mohawks.

It was sneakily warm as the race kicked off as runners made their way down a nice downhill stretch before some of the real climbing began. The course was part of the same route as the Norwood Turkey Trot but then went off on its own course. The course was very well marshaled by police and volunteers alike and there were more than a few hills mixed into the run which made for some pretty decent climbing along the way. With the heat, the one water stop on the course came in handy but after climbing toward the Mile 4 marker an extra water stop really could have been used.

I cruised into the finish line feeling pretty good along the way and finished with a time of 45:18, good for 9:04/miles. Not too shabby given the warm weather and the hills and overall a result to be relatively pleased with.