One week following Slammin' Sarah and "g's" first 5K together, "g" was at it again. Spring had officially arrived. It was an overcast, 51-degree day when the Hat and "g" headed north to Queensbury for a 10:00 AM start time. Instead of running, Slammin' Sarah would assume the role of G-WeB Action Photographer for the Boys because she had a monster soccer game at noon. (PS, which they won!)

Both joggin' guys achieved new running bests for this 5K. The Hat dropped two-plus minutes from his last/first 5K and finished the 3.1 miles in 25:11.

"g" was committed to a 24 minute run. It looked possible because at practice two days earlier, he finished the last two of his 6-mile run with 7:18 and 7:34 times; previously, about 8:00 was his best.

The Ruby Run course started up hill and then leveled out. At about 3/4 miles, Andrea gently scooted past "g" with a "Hey." He decided to draft her because Andrea's 5K the previous week was under 24 minutes - his goal for this race!

At the 1-mile marker, the timer called out 6:58. For "g", this was an unbelievably great time. Calculating faster then anticipated times for this race, he decided to gently slow down his pace for mile #2. At the 2-mile marker, he had run the second mile at 7:30. At this pace, he'd surely reach 24:00 for his 5K personal best. At about 2.2 miles, the course took a sharp right turn with a straight as an arrow shot to the finish line. But now, the runners were confronted with a fierce head wind.

"g" seemed to be shadowing a rather stocky guy in pink whom he couldn't seem to pass. He wanted to give him the ol' pass-a-rooney, but the wind was too strong of a competitor. Then the finish line clock, visible for some time, became readable... 22:14... 22:20... 22:25... immediately, "g" was smash-in-the-face in awe of the fact that he could best his projected 24:00 minute time. If he sprinted, could he break 23:00?

With the thought runners make better backpackers churning in his head to the music of Jeff Beck, "g" turned on the after burners. With about 1/10th of a mile to go he started to sprint. 22:30... past the guy in pink... 22:40... 22: 42... 22:45... 22:48... the crowd at the Finish Line cheered, "Faster! Do it for G-WeB!"

22:50... 22:51... 22:52... he wasn't going to make it... 22:53... 22:54... 22:55... "g" cranked up the power... SWOOSH... his cardiac stent remained steadfast in it's duty to supply blood-on-demand to his lungs... SWOOSH... 22: 56... he was not going to make 23-minutes... but then, a little smoke... a few sparks... then flames ripped from the soles of "g's" running shoes as he cranked down even harder with more human-torque against the pavement... he had to beat the clock! 22:57... 22:58... BAM! "g" crossed the finish line... 22:58! A personal best! "Good gosh!" thought "g", "I smell smoke!"

So there you have it... another G-WeBconnect exclusive! Until next time...

(PS: G-WeB would like to thank the Queensbury Fire Department and EMS squad for their extra speedy response to "g's" blazing arrival at the Finish Line.)

The Hat discusses important running strategies with "g" before the race. "...do I
breath in or out when
my right foot comes
down...."

"g" nods and demonstrates good listening skills despite
the fact he has Jeff Beck blaring on the ol' MP-3
and can't hear a darn
thing the Hat
is saying.