Favorite 5k

This Saturday Mr. Shoe and I will be running one of my favorite 5ks. The race has undergone a couple of name changes. It started as Run Against Drugs but is now known as Run 2 Save Our Youth. This will be the 6th year that I participate in this race. This is the race that really got me into running.

Race shirts from 2009-2013

In 2009 my best friend asked me to run this 5k with her. She had run it the year before and I am so glad that she asked me to join her. I look forward to this race and spending the day with her every year! To be honest I think I actually walked it the first two years, but the last few years I have been running it and steadily improving my time. In 2012 I got 3rd in my age group. It was the first time that I had ever received an age group award. In 2013 I was the top female finisher.

Overall award and an age group award!

This road race is a down and back course with a couple very small rolling hills and a few twisty turns. It would be a perfect course if there was some shade! The first time I tried to actually run this course I completely died about 2 miles into the race. I was so disappointed after I had trained so hard. I just got to the point where I could not breathe. Later I realized that I am highly allergic to the trees lining the course. My pre-race routine now includes allergy medicine.

Has anyone had to cope with having to take it easy during a race? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that my times won't be competitive this year. I know no one else is going to care, but I just feel embarrassed that my time will probably be 10 minutes slower than my last 5k. Hopefully I can just forget about the clock and focus on having fun with my best friend.