Tuesday, Allstate held their annual Sprint and Stride event, a 5K race around campus, which this year would benefit the Purple Purse project to help victims of domestic violence.  I signed up again this year, my fourth, along with some co-workers to get out in the afternoon sun and enjoy getting paid to exercise.

After last year’s fiasco, I had high hopes of actually finishing the race this year.  Once again, that wasn’t in the cards.  For the second year in a row, we arrived at the starting gate well after the big throng of people had been sent on their way.  We did make it further than last year, but when the decision came to turn right and do the full 3.1 miles or turn left and cut things short, the majority voted for left.  After making it to the finish line, we were able to cash in on the free water and bananas.  Ironically, this was the first year that I managed to make the official listings, with an abbreviated time of 56:15.30, which was somehow the worst time of the three of us.

Last year’s race was near the beginning of what would turn out to be a year of shit.  A year later, things aren’t necessarily any better.  That said, I’m sure I’ll be out there next year, hopefully with some of the same companions.