One Hill of a Run ... Crossing the Finish Line

Ten hilly miles at 1:47:34, according to the computerized time chip reader....race day weather conditions were perfect. Staunton high was 75 - 80 degrees, but the race began at 7:45 a.m., long before the temps reached that point.
The volunteers gathered around the parking lot for the loop around the parking lot were exceptionally wonderful -- hooping, hollering, cheering. One guy, before the last desperate push in this photo, shouted, "Look! she even has a smile on her face." He didn't know about the previous greeting by my "paparazzi" or that I had just spotted my tow-headed granddaughter waiting at the finish line. The only miniature white-blonde at finish line, she was easy to spot. And then I saw her mom and little sister next to her.
How many people finish their first 10-miler at 50 with their own personal photographer, daughter and grandchildren at the finish line waiting to capture the moment?!?
(photo by Steven David Johnson)