We came. We saw. We ran really fast.

A 30 min bike ride into downtown Santa Rosa, and we're changing from lycra super-hero suits into our running gear and pinning on numbers.  As Kevin, Bradley and I warmed up, Chris and Charity acted as our awesome cheering section, motivators, jacket collectors, and general support crew.  Oh yeah, and they were handing out flyers for our upcoming Save-A-Turkey Trot. Chris while wearing the OA banana suit, which people seemed to enjoy.  A man told him "I can't come since I'll be eating a turkey on Thanksgiving...", to which our tactful fruit-man replies "oh don't worry, I'm not a judgmental banana."  Classy.

We toe the line with 177 others, and only 5,000 meters to the finish.  3.1 miles is nothing to scoff at, it can be very intense, but the 3 of us are decidedly better suited for the longer distances.  Never the less, it was on like autobahn.  Usually someone shoots off the line at an insane pace they can't hold, but this one started nice and steady.  This made me a little impatient, and after only a minute or two I quickly assessed the other runners and how I was feeling, and decided to attack as we turned right onto the greenway path.  I didn't quite give it the full stick, but I opened up my stride, making sure to run quick and smooth.  Just floating.

I waited until mile 2 to take a peek behind me, and all I could see was clear pavement.  I stuck it in cruise control and let the lead bike bring me in. Winning felt great, as I've had this incredible streak of getting 2nd, 3rd, or 4th at nearly every running race I enter.  But the best was peering down the road, and seeing the distinct running style of Bradley coming in to claim 2nd!  And just behind him, Kevin finished off his run with an awesome 5th place despite some late race cramps.

At this point the announcer who noted we are usually more likely to be found racing our bikes, says "Clearly GOING VEGAN makes you GO FASTER!".  For me it's not about getting recognition, winning, or even placing well.  It's all about enjoying ourselves, being happy, healthy, and giving our best.  But, I really do think performances like this really help our cause, give us a strong voice, and help lend credibility to the vegan movement.  All we want to do is show people that there is nothing to fear if they give up or reduce their consumption of animal products. Hopefully we did a little of that today, and it's a message I'm willing to run mile after mile for.

Special thanks to Charity, Chris, Dan and Zoe Hopley for the race day encouragement, and to Charity, Kevin, and Bradley for helping me carry my stuff home.

Thanks for reading!

-Justin