I seem to have a strange duality between the 5k Race for the Cure and the 10 mile Anna's Angel's that is held each fall in RTP.  Both benefit very good causes, both tend to be pretty hot, and, every year, I tend to be ready to quit roughly 1/3 of the way through the race.

 

After running about 2 miles from home to the start of the race, I felt so tired and unmotivated that I seriously debated not starting and simply watching it this year.   I have to confess that running into teammates before the race guilted me into lining up for the start.  The first mile is fairly downhill and, unlike past years, it was actually my slowest.  I started to feel a little better around half way and was able to pass folks for much of the second half.  I have to admit that I felt somewhat guilty when I passed the 14 year old (he ran an amazing 19:00) but then I asked myself what Ben would do ...

 

For those who have not run this race, it is truly is an amazing event.  There are over 20,000 participants in the various races and the amount of money that they raise is incredible.  Hence it is worth braving the heat and humidity and I'll continue to fight the urge to quit after the first mile.