We had beautiful weather and lots of spirit this morning for the Run Your Heart Out 5k. This was my third year running this race, although there was a location change this year. I set a personal course PR and matched my pace from last year's race, so I'm quite pleased with today's performance! And it was FUN!
Pre-race
I planned to warm up ahead of the race for a change. My fastest 5k was in the middle of a 10k, which suggests that I would do better with a warm up. Although my plan was to run 1-2 miles ahead of time, I got caught up in socializing and only warmed up for 1/2 mile. Better than no warm up, but not optimal. Baby steps.
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Shannon & Natalie picking up their packets before the race;
I checked in with my running buddies before warming up |
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I met this mom & daughter before the race.
They weren't sure they were runners yet.
They are - everyone who runs is a runner! |
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Some of my favorite partners in crime - Reston Runners BFFs!
from left: me, Laurie, Andrea, Vee, Lynn, Susan, Molly |
Go Time!
I ran with Shannon and Natalie. We planned 5:1 run:walk intervals. We pushed ourselves to the edge of our comfort zones and maintained a challenging pace. Natalie kept us going at the hills with Brena's little ditty from the day before:
Just another hill, just another hill. My legs are rubber, my feet are glue; I'm holding back a great big poo, just another hill.
That really made me laugh! Thank you Brena for sending your infectious positivity. It was almost like you were there with us.
We kept a consistent pace, supported each other, and turned out a solid race. My Garmin reports a pace of 10:43, identical to last year's race when my brother paced me. Yay us!
Finish Line Photos
Here is a round-up of (free!!) finish line photos from the
Potomac River Running flickr page. Thank you PR for the free pictures that post within mere hours of the race finish. I don't know how you do it - but I appreciate it!
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I don't know this dude, but seeing Superman high-five
little Spiderman is awesome any day |
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| Susan and Lynn looking strong |
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| Gina representing for Team Rabbit - both feet off the ground! |
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| Tina & Angela always have fantastic outfits - they inspire me |
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| Lisa came in 3rd in her age group - love the pants |
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This is actually Andrea at the start, not the finish.
She came in 5th in her age group |
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| Looking good Laurie |
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| Molly came in 5th in her age group, with feet in the air |
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We cheered until the end and these two ladies were inspiring.
They looked proud of their accomplishments.
They are not last - they are ahead of everyone who is too afraid to show up.
Big shout-outs and props to you both!! |
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| My smiling finish |
Great recap, Kim! In my finish pic I am floating! Sweet!! Glad I got to see you yesterday!
ReplyDeleteYou are floating! I edited your caption accordingly. Looking forward to running with you again soon :)
DeleteCongrats on the race PR! Still trying to figure out when my first PRR race of the year will be... maybe in the spring.
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you decide - hopefully we can meet up in person :)
DeleteI love your finish line photo! I enjoyed this race last year, but skipped it since I was racing this past weekend. What did you think of the course as compared to the Reston trails? It was in Fairfax, correct?
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Reston 5k course to the Fairfax one. I've run it so many times that it's familiar like an old friend, and I love finishing on the track. Plus it's a tad short (I've never seen anyone's GPS clock a full 3.1), so it is easier to PR on. :)
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