Yesterday was the fifth annual Bridie Goldstein Run for Children in Syosset, to benefit mercyFirst, a Syosset not-for-profit human service agency serving more than 4,000 children, teenagers and families each year in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties. Bridie was a committed nurse and runner who worked for mercyFirst and died tragically in an automobile accident in 2003. Local events, especially ones where there is much meaning in participating, where some inspiration can have unknown impact on those who come together for the event is a good thing. The race takes place on one of my favorite roads and evertime I run by mercyFirst I am inspired by Bridie to be more committed in my life.

The day was COOL with temperatures in the low 30s, sunny and dry. A lovely crisp late autumn day! Two hundred plus runners set out on this 5K run along the streets of "downtown" Syosset. The course is mixed with flat sections, downhills and uphills. It is a typical terrain for the northshore.

I went out just to be in it with no great expectations. My left hamstring has been tender so I did not want to aggravate it. My first mile clocked at 8:22 and knowing that long uphill inclines and hills remained I decided to settle in for a good work out. I finished at 26:38.2 (pace: 8:35), about a minute off my previous PR the week before. This was the 3rd fastest 5K I had run in some sixty 5K races in the past 5 years. I was pleased - A good workout! As I was checking the final results , I noticed that I placed 3rd in my age group out of 8 - go figure.