After the debauchery I was involved in Friday night and hanging out at a beer tent at the St. Jude Classic on Saturday afternoon, my friend Mary somehow convinced me to run the Gibson 5K on Saturday night. I'm still not really sure how she did it.
Anyway, I wasn't pre-registered, so I signed up as soon as we got there. They had already run out of t-shirts and packets, so they said they'll e-mail me about picking it up later. Then we dumped our stuff off in the car and headed to the start line.
I'll go ahead and say that my goal for this race was to PR to not die. It was about 85 degrees and a night race (heat + night race = not my fave), and after all the drinks I had the night (and afternoon) before, I knew I was probably dehydrated.
The race started promptly at 7, and we took off down Beale Street-- I have to say that downtown Memphis is one of my favorite places to run. The race actually had chip timing, which I had never had for a 5K before, so we started toward the back of the crowd. We hit mile 1 in about 8:52, and I knew I wasn't going to keep that up that pace the rest of the time, so Mary went ahead and I stayed back. I could tell I hadn't had near enough water because I was cramping and my shins were hurting.
Hottest pic ever, right?
Hottest pic ever, right?
The worse part of the race? I was totally unprepared to run, so I had to wear Mary's race shirt. Yes, I was one of "those" people wearing the race shirt to the race, and I had to wear the worst shorts and hat I own. It was all I could find.
I finished in 29:14 and was just thrilled to cross the finish line. Definitely not a PR, but definitely not my worst time, either.
Stats:
Time: 29:14
Female: 160/959
Place: 591/1980
After the race, there was an after party on the roof of the Gibson factory with a band, food, snow cones and drinks. I have to say the $30 entry fee was worth it.
4 comments:
Haha- I guess I can tell I'm totally not a runner because I'm guilty of wearing the race shirt to run in-- multiple times! LOL :)
Sounds like a fun race/after party though! Also- All the 5k's I've done have been chip timed, didn't know there was another option! Lol
I am impressed...and who cares that you were "that runner?" I thin it's funny that you got to attend a party after the race as well though!
Did a 5k at a local winery Friday night. The promise of wine at the end is fabulous motivation :-) So impressed by your times. One day I hope to finish with that kind of time!
Way to go! Wish I could have been there!
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