I went down to Fleet Feet on the way home from work to pick up the materials for the Zoo Zoom. For me, it was a shirt, the tracking chip, my bib (I hate that name), and a t-shirt. For Jenny & Gregory, it was their bibs (both number one - appearently all the kids are #1) and t-shirts. Their smallest shirt size was Gregory's size! He's six, but Jenny's only three and about half his size. I suppose she'll grow into it.

I guess this means we're committed. It's going to be really cool, and runner's family members all get into the zoo for free. The schedule is:

8:00 a.m. 5 km Run/Walk (3.1 miles)
8:35 a.m. 10 km Run (6.2 miles)
9:30 a.m. 5 km awards ceremony (Main Stage inside the Zoo)
9:45 a.m. Saucony Run for Good Fun Runs
220-yard run for ages 4-under (no toddlers, this event is on the road!)
440-yard run for ages 5-6
1/2-Mile run for ages 7-9
1-mile run for ages 10-12 (Additional waves may be added based on entry numbers)
10:30 a.m. 10 km awards ceremony (Main Stage)
10:45 a.m. T-Bone's Magic and Fitness Adventure (Main Stage)

That means that for all of us to eat breakfast early, we'll have to get out of the house at like 5:30! That's ok though, I think we can manage. I'll do the 5k at 8, then depending on zoo hours we'll either spectate the 10k, or head into the zoo.

I have a few goals for the 5k:

- Finish faster than 30 minutes (no problem, but it has to be a goal)
- Finish in the top 10
- Have fun

#2 will be harder than #3, of course. Looking at last year's 5k standings for my age group if I work my butt off I should be able to crack the Top 10, but there are more people registered this year than last. Looking at the 10k standings and times, it's obvious to me that most people register for the 10k. If there were that many for the 5k, there's no way I'd make the Top 10.

So... keep me in your prayers.

I ran 5k at lunch, but used a different strategy this time. I found I pushed myself too much in the first mile the last time to the point where I was just pooped at the end. I think that's where I've been going wrong lately and why my times have suffered.

29:07:67 this time around, not my greatest, but I feel better afterwards. I'm not EXHAUSTED like I was the other day. Then I did a light jog back to work. 37 minutes total, 425 calories burned.

Maybe I can punch it just a TINY bit more on Sunday. :)