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| Pre-Race! My friend Victoria and I were excited! |
The St. Patrick's Day 5K was a fundraiser for a fountain in the park. The fountain is Uncle Wilber. Uncle Wilber apparently draws young and old to play in the fountain during the summer time. The fountain was originally donated to the Pikes Peak region but the maintenance required is expensive, so Colorado Springs hosts this run to help pay for it.
Race-eve:
The excitement for the race began the night before when Victoria and I drove up to Colorado Springs to pick up our bibs and t-shirts. We were extremely disappointed to discover they didn't have any t-shirts in our size! The t-shirt symbolizes the experience! We were bummed. At least they will mail it to us in the next few weeks.
After getting our bibs we enjoyed a nice dinner with Michael at The Ritz Grill on Tejon. Since it was Friday night Victoria and I allowed ourselves to indulged in just ONE beer. As novice runners the threat of beer slowing our already slow times was heavy. One beer and a 45 minute drive home.
As I was trying to fall asleep that night my brain was running with excitement. My mind buzzed with the though that 'TOMORROW IS RACE DAY!!!' It was like Christmas Eve for a kid or the first day at a new school. Anxiety and excitement overwhelmed me. What was I to wear!? How would it go!? Who would be there? Would I make a fool of myself!?
Race Day:
The next morning I woke up with thoughts about the race still monopolizing my brain. I made myself stay in bed until 7am but was awake by 6am....
By 8am I had my duffel bag full of different outfits (just in case we did something inactive after the race like having several beers), my climbing shoes and other things I thought I might want while in Colorado Springs. You never know what you'll need, it is best to over prepare especially when you are 45 minutes away from home!
Victoria and I arrived in Colorado Springs by 9:30 am, 30 minutes before the gun went off. The parking lot we found cost just $4 but only took cash. I scrounged up $3.50 from my purse but the attendant insisted on $4... so, I wrote a check...for $4!
Once we arrived at Acacia Park I was immediately overwhelmed by the number of people! Tejon was a sea of green. Our pre-race time was spent in the long port-a-potty lines, watching all the random people and looking for pins for our bibs...despite our over prepared duffle bags, we forgot the little pins needed to hold our race number on place! I also bought this cool fabric belt that you can out your keys, credit cards and phone in while you run. I will post more about this later.
The Race!!
Standing in the crowd waiting for the race to start, we assessed our green competitors and their crazy outfits. This lady next to us was stressing about just making it to the finish line. (it is only 3 miles... Even if you walk, anyone could make this distance!)
Bang! Everyone starts running... Errch! Stop. Each runner had to step on the long box at the start line so the computer would recognize the chip on our shoe. The chip held our bib number and is how the officials come up with our finish times.
Finally, I was off! I weaved through all the people. Trying to find a good pace away from the slower runners. It welt good to be zooming along! According to my Endomondo Iphone App I ran my first mile in about 9 min and 40 seconds. I was doing good. I loved cruising around people, even going up on the side walk to avoid people. Unfortunately, I slowed down after that. The sun was beating down in me, I didnt have water, and I kept letting myself slow to a walk! My Endomondo said the 5K finished before the race actually finished. I kept going straight for the finishline. Victoria passed me during the last mile. I saw her pass then was able to wave at her during one of the switchbacks in the race.
"What is chip timing?
Chip timing is computer timing. You are given a D-tag timing chip to wear on your shoe. Start mats and finish mats are used at each race. When your shoe crosses over the mats, your time starts and ends automatically. Generally, chip timing is much quicker and more efficient than manual timing." For more about Chip Timing: Chip Timing Link
My chip finish time was 32:39.
Out of women in my age bracket I was 156/326.
Overall women I was 758/1821
I wanted my time to be closer to 30 minutes but I will accept 32 minutes. Now I have a personal record to beat at my next race. Of course I will have to consider whether the next race is flat like this one was or if it has a more complex terrain.
After I finished we headed straight for her car. I needed water and there were so many people in the park we couldn't see what they had set up as far as food and water. Once at her car my sinuses went nuts. I sneezed and blew my nose for 10 minutes. Apparently I have allergies in Colorado at this time of year, especially in Colorado Springs! For the first time in my life I understand how horrible my Brother feels during most of spring and summer in Oregon!
After Race:
Victoria and I weaved through all the people waiting for the St. Patrick's Day Parade to start down Tajon to Jack Quinn's Pub for a pint of beer. While we were there a man collapsed. Never a dull moment! He just, boom, fell like a tree. He got up again said he was ok, then fainted again. The paramedics came soon after that. Poor guy! I hope he is ok! We left before we saw the conclusion. Lunch and Rock Climbing was still on our agenda for the day.
Now it is time to pick out a new race!
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| Tons of People! Pre-race. |
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| After the race and after I freshened up from my sinus attack. We are ready to go find some beer! |
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| Lots of feet ready to run! |
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| Beers at Jack Quinn's Pub |
