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| Directions to Hughes Stadium - pick an exit and hope! |
To get to Hughes Stadium I have to negotiate this freeway interchange, I approach from the East on highway 50 (which is also 16) with the intention of heading South on 99 (which is also 51); I have managed to get it right once out of four attempts. Still I managed to get to the stadium by hook or by crook every time but not necessarily via the shortest route. Once there, on this day in particular, I ran in the first section of the 5000 metres finals at the stadium which is located at Sacramento City College. I ran a decent race considering the heat. My time was 20:41.52. I was 5th out of 16 in my race and 23rd out of 39 overall. The most pleasing thing was that I beat three Brits who I had never beaten before. In fact since our star runner (Mike Deegan) dropped out with a pulled hamstring, I was actually the first British finisher. When I got back to the hotel I went out and did an easy recovery run. In the evening, after a dip in the pool, I walked to the main stadium to watch some 800 metre semi finals. I had a late evening meal in Denny's - and, still being conscientious diet wise, I had a chicken salad with pecans, dried cranberries and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. A bit of garlic bread on the side won't cause too much damage will it? That's 10 days so far and no burgers, beer or hot dogs!
