Zuzu

The Coastal 5K — Run Wild, Stay Salty — had a sign-in sheet. Zuzu signed it. Bib number 0001, open division. Nobody said anything about this. Zuzu had looked at the field at packet pickup and decided not to say anything either.

The clock read 19:47 when she crossed the finish line. The sign next to the clock said NOT FAST ENOUGH. AGAIN. Zuzu put that sign up herself. She had printed it the night before.

Race strategy, per the chalkboard at mile one: Start fast. Stay furious. Ignore doubters. Win. Do it again. She checked every box. Then ran the course in reverse because 19:47.

Tink was there with a notepad. His observations: incredible form, terrible sport. Zuzu clocked him from thirty feet away mid-stride and did not slow down.

Her flower patch is still off-limits. The sign says ZUZU'S FLOWER PATCH — OFF-LIMITS. ALWAYS. This has not changed. The 5K has not changed it. Nothing changes it. The flowers and the finish line are separate matters, and if you confuse them, that is a you problem.