Post Race Report: 8 on the 8th

Of all the races I have participated, this was the most fun I have had in awhile. The weather was good. I took three days of rest which was the longest stretch in a long time. I cannot recalled when the last time I had three days in a row of good rest. It has really paid off. I was supposed to start at 8:08 a.m. However, my wife got into bed at 1:30 a.m. from the ladies' Christmas party. I was just about to sneak out of the bed until my wife pulled me right back to bed. I've told her that today is the big day. She wanted me to call it off and keep her warm. "Honey, I've been resting for three days and I am itching to get right back to running." She did a good job holding me at bay for another hour. Actually, I like being under the comforter than to be outside in 35 degrees. Here I went this morning just before 10:00 a.m., I have started it pretty good. During the first mile, I saw Topher running on the opposite. I was trying to wave at him. However, he had his eye fixated on Dunkin Donuts store. He'd actually went in there and I assumed it was his first pit stop. For awhile, I saw Marcy running in the other direction. I was trying to wave at her but she was so busy fidgeting with her cellphone. I have no clue to what she was trying to take a picture of. Shortly after that, I saw Viper running toward a bar. I was trying to wave at him but he quickly got into the bar. I am also assuming that it was also his first pit stop as well. I've quickly scanned at my watch and realized that I was maintaining a 8:20 pace. I was halfway through the race. Halfway around the course, I saw Half-Fast running toward Monmouth Park. I was trying to wave at him. He was hollering at me and I didn't quite get it. I think he said "I am not used to the oxygen level at zero sea level." I didn't quite get it but realized that he is from Colorado with an altitude of 5,280 feet above sea level. Go figures! A little more than halfway, I was surprised to see Jess running with Scooter. I was hollering at Jess but Scooter was frantically looking for a fire hydrant. Why fire hydrant? I just don't get it. I was running over the bridge with a beautiful view of the river. I saw Jenny running on the opposite. I was trying to wave at her but I think she was trying to find the closest beach to go for swim. I think I saw a runner but he was running like hell. He quickly ran around the corner with a blink of an eye. He was gone already. You know who it was, it was Bill. Nothing new! As I was getting closer to 8 mile mark, I watched my Garmin and hit exactly at 1:06:31 at 8.00 miles. I was quite surprised. I went on to get closer to my house and stopped at 8.22 miles at 1:08:32. It was the best run I ever had. I was looking around for Nancy to hand me the t-shirt. I think she was busy chasing the little ones. (See Ted's Run Tracker for final stats on the right sidebar.) Hope all of you did well today and was thinking all of you today! So the final time for 8 miles is 1:06:31 !