Miles 5 and 6

The race was flying by but the course was beautiful. Winterthur is a beautiful park and the course winds its way through all of the best parts. We had run on a few open roads and through a couple of fields but for the last third of the race, we were back in the trees. It felt more secluded but I had my running playlist to keep me company. I have a very eclectic taste in running music and just as I crossed into mile five Scotland the Brave came on. No vocals, just pipes and drums. Call me crazy but I always hide that song somewhere in the middle of my playlist to give me a needed boost on race day.

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I knew I was closing in on the finish and continued to push harder. There was definitely a voice in my head telling me to ease off but I was able to keep it at bay (for the most part). It definitely helped to see my mom about halfway through mile six cheering me on. I gained a second wind and really opened up just in time for another brutal uphill. My lungs were screaming but I kept running. Closing in on the top there were several moments of panic as I thought I might hurl but luckily I reached the top just in time to relax and regain my composure. Steep uphills mean steep downhills so I was able to cruise back down and recover before the finish (another hill).