November 9: I know this race report is long overdue and to be honest, I don't really know why it took me so long. I think the last time I did a 5K was in 1996 or so and it was at this same race (but it took place in Golden Gate Park then). The race course is along the Embarcadero, which is by the Ferry Building and piers in San Francisco, which makes for some great views. Though th course was FLAT and FAST, I somehow managed to make it slow by running a 17:42. Two weeks after my last triathlon, I had stopped training and came out here to run in memory of my mom and to support my friend Dana, who's stepmom was in the final stages of terminal breast cancer. It was nice going into a race with no expectations but I knew that I wanted to run fast so that I could be up front and truly honor my mom by having all eyes on her name. The plan worked as I found myself in the top 10 in the first 1/2 mile and then the top three by mile 1. I got passed around the mile 2 mark and as the guy ran by me, on the back of his jersey he wore a similar sign (as above) in memory of his mother. And I remember thinking this is such a cool way to race. It was like everybody's mothers/daughters/sisters etc.. were racing against each other. I just remember thinking, "how cool is this." I have to admit, it felt a bit weird running so fast in such a non-competitive environment. The atmosphere was definitely of participation, support, and for some survival. After finishing my race, I waited for my friend Dana to come through. The wait took much longer than I thought so I called her on the cell phone and sure enough, she answered (like I knew she would, you gotta love technology). She said she was about 5 minutes from the finish and that I should be ready for her dramatic finish. Indeed, she delivered showing me "jazz hands" as she crossed the finish line. The day ended up being near perfect as the sun came out and I think it was in the low 70's. We sat around by the pier in just shorts and a t-shirt for a couple of hours enjoying the sun and talking to some of the finishers. We actually decided to go back to the finish line and take some "feaux" pictures of us crossing the finish line together. Unfortunately, Dana had used her boyfriend's camera phone and the pictures were unknowingly erased so this is the only image I have from the race.