SkirtChaser 5K!
This was my first ever 5K! I haven't finished the C25K program yet, but I really wanted to 'test the waters' with a race and the SkirtChaser sounded really hilarious and fun. The race started with the women (in running skirts that we got as part of the entry fee) running off, then the men starting 3 minutes later.
I picked my packet up the day before--except, they didn't give me the packet, just my running skirt and my number.
The running skirt is totally cute--it's a pair of pink mesh shorts with a black skirt over it. Very very very cute and sooo comfy.
It was an evening race, so I tried to eat very well through out the day. I had a good breakfast of a Fiber One bar pretty early (before 8am), followed by some cereal a little later (around 10), then miso soup and a small pb sandwich around 12, and part of a Subway sub around 3. I usually split my meals up like this, though I did eat a little more than I usually do.
I ended up getting lost trying to find parking. It was a good thing I headed out early! When I finally found a spot, there were two other people getting ready for the race. We laughed about trying to pin the numbers on ourselves, and the lady I met showed me her other running skirt, which was really cute!
We wandered towards the start and I met a few other people. One lady introduced herself as Meredith and we chatted for a long time.
There was a lot of cool stuff around. A bunch of free drinks and some swag. A few people showed up in costume. Two guys in Dumb and Dumber tuxes, a few people dressed like hicks (really over the top and hilarious) and a pair of Marines in dresses...they also had a backpack of beer. When they ran past me, I screamed 'DON'T SPILL THE BEER!' Was pretty cool.
The women got a 3 minute head start. I started out really strong (then remembered to start my Nike+, sigh) and slowed down pretty quickly. There were a lot of people running slowly or walking near me...
And then the guys came.
The first guys we saw were running sooo fast with these huge leaping strides. It was seriously unreal.
I ran and walked as I felt I needed to. From looking at the Nike+, it looks like I was pretty even up until the end. The first mile was okay--a little rough, but the roads were okay. I did realize how close to the back of the pack I was, so I tried to pick up the pace more and picked a few people to stay in front of as best I could. The cop car right behind me was a really good motivator.
The second mile was much easier. I kind of got into a rhythm and started really feeling it. There were some big hills and because of all the construction along the route, there were a lot of rocks and sand and potholes. I took care of a lot of my time here, I think. It was also super hot. No shade!
Mile three was were stuff got hard. This part was a lot more shady, and wound through some of the residential areas. Because I was so far in the back, the cops were letting some cars through, which made things a little interesting. There was a little car dodging!
I also started talking to some of the other run/walkers. They were talking about other races and other years for this race, and it was really fun. They also laughed at me when I started running a little--"you go girl! show me up!!"--all in fun, of course. One gal told me they take you picture at the end, so I should run to the finish.
When we got closer, there were other runners who had already finished and run back to encourage everyone else. It was really great! I felt so encouraged. It made me run more and more. It was also mostly downhill. :D
I kept chanting to myself 'white rabbit white rabbit', which is my running mantra. It's from the TKK song 'Daisy Chain 4 Satan'. I don't know, it works for me!
At the last turn, there was a woman ringing a bell and yelling that we were almost there. I started running and grinning and running and grinning! I could see the time clock in big red numbers. I really wanted to come in under 45 minutes, and I could see it counting up to 45 minutes. When I crossed the line, it was just about to tick to 45.
And Meredith, the gal I met earlier? She was standing there screaming my name. "JENNY! JENNY! UNDER 45 MINUTES!!!" That made me so happy.
After getting some water and a drink, I saw the lady who invented the running skirt, so I stopped her and told her how much I loved it. She seemed happy and talked with me for a while, congratulating me on my run and such. It was a good time.
The promised rain started 10 minutes after I left, which was okay. The husband made a delicious flank steak, veggies, and rice for dinner. So wonderful!
Overall, this was a really amazing and fun race. I loved the skirt and will be wearing it as much as I can.
I can't wait for my next 5K!
I picked my packet up the day before--except, they didn't give me the packet, just my running skirt and my number.
The running skirt is totally cute--it's a pair of pink mesh shorts with a black skirt over it. Very very very cute and sooo comfy.
It was an evening race, so I tried to eat very well through out the day. I had a good breakfast of a Fiber One bar pretty early (before 8am), followed by some cereal a little later (around 10), then miso soup and a small pb sandwich around 12, and part of a Subway sub around 3. I usually split my meals up like this, though I did eat a little more than I usually do.
I ended up getting lost trying to find parking. It was a good thing I headed out early! When I finally found a spot, there were two other people getting ready for the race. We laughed about trying to pin the numbers on ourselves, and the lady I met showed me her other running skirt, which was really cute!
We wandered towards the start and I met a few other people. One lady introduced herself as Meredith and we chatted for a long time.
There was a lot of cool stuff around. A bunch of free drinks and some swag. A few people showed up in costume. Two guys in Dumb and Dumber tuxes, a few people dressed like hicks (really over the top and hilarious) and a pair of Marines in dresses...they also had a backpack of beer. When they ran past me, I screamed 'DON'T SPILL THE BEER!' Was pretty cool.
The women got a 3 minute head start. I started out really strong (then remembered to start my Nike+, sigh) and slowed down pretty quickly. There were a lot of people running slowly or walking near me...
And then the guys came.
The first guys we saw were running sooo fast with these huge leaping strides. It was seriously unreal.
I ran and walked as I felt I needed to. From looking at the Nike+, it looks like I was pretty even up until the end. The first mile was okay--a little rough, but the roads were okay. I did realize how close to the back of the pack I was, so I tried to pick up the pace more and picked a few people to stay in front of as best I could. The cop car right behind me was a really good motivator.
The second mile was much easier. I kind of got into a rhythm and started really feeling it. There were some big hills and because of all the construction along the route, there were a lot of rocks and sand and potholes. I took care of a lot of my time here, I think. It was also super hot. No shade!
Mile three was were stuff got hard. This part was a lot more shady, and wound through some of the residential areas. Because I was so far in the back, the cops were letting some cars through, which made things a little interesting. There was a little car dodging!
I also started talking to some of the other run/walkers. They were talking about other races and other years for this race, and it was really fun. They also laughed at me when I started running a little--"you go girl! show me up!!"--all in fun, of course. One gal told me they take you picture at the end, so I should run to the finish.
When we got closer, there were other runners who had already finished and run back to encourage everyone else. It was really great! I felt so encouraged. It made me run more and more. It was also mostly downhill. :D
I kept chanting to myself 'white rabbit white rabbit', which is my running mantra. It's from the TKK song 'Daisy Chain 4 Satan'. I don't know, it works for me!
At the last turn, there was a woman ringing a bell and yelling that we were almost there. I started running and grinning and running and grinning! I could see the time clock in big red numbers. I really wanted to come in under 45 minutes, and I could see it counting up to 45 minutes. When I crossed the line, it was just about to tick to 45.
And Meredith, the gal I met earlier? She was standing there screaming my name. "JENNY! JENNY! UNDER 45 MINUTES!!!" That made me so happy.
After getting some water and a drink, I saw the lady who invented the running skirt, so I stopped her and told her how much I loved it. She seemed happy and talked with me for a while, congratulating me on my run and such. It was a good time.
The promised rain started 10 minutes after I left, which was okay. The husband made a delicious flank steak, veggies, and rice for dinner. So wonderful!
Overall, this was a really amazing and fun race. I loved the skirt and will be wearing it as much as I can.
I can't wait for my next 5K!