Part 5/8:
Despite my best efforts, I crossed the finish line just behind her. The race took me 2 hours and 24 minutes—slower than last year, yet I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. I found myself in an unexpected position: placing within the top 25 in my age group, M 45. It was a surreal moment, reflecting on how far I've come and savoring the triumph—especially knowing that the conditions had been tough and the competition fierce.