This was the first-ever Downtown Derby 5K, put on by the Junior League. Considering that it was their first race, I think they did a pretty good job with everything. It was easy to get to, parking was plentiful, there was fun music playing before the race, the starting area was clearly marked, and there was a lot of bottled water, fruit and bagels afterward. I will say it was a nice change to run a smaller race - we actually started running right away, instead of shuffling through the crowds. I heard there were anywhere from 150 to 200 runners/walkers/strollers/dogs (no unicycles this time). The race course, which looked like it was going to be a crazy mishmash from the online map, turned out to be fine - there was a railroad track separating the two sides, and they had people and signs at every turn so it was very easy to follow.
The race route didn't end up being as crazy as it looked on the map, thankfully!Jenny (who was running on a sore foot) and I started out a little fast - our pace at one mile was about 11:38. We slowed it down a bit and did well - I felt fine...I know her foot was bothering her, but she kept on going - yay Jenny! We were coming round the bend to the home stretch - I think we were at 2.75 miles - when Brad, who finished the race in about 23 minutes, came back to run us in to the finish line. It was great to see him and very comforting to hear his encouragement! We really picked up the pace at that point, and just like in the GLOW run, Jenny kicked it into high gear and took off! I was sucking wind and about to die - I really have to get a handle on the whole "breathing" thing. While I was a little discouraged to once again crash so close to the finish, it was so helpful to hear things like "there's the finish line" "look at the crowd" and my favorite "ten more seconds and you're done!" - so THANK YOU, Brad - you really kept me going!
Thanks also have to go out once again to my pit crew - aka husband, Jeff, who got me to the race in plenty of time, held my warm up top when I shed it right before the race, and took lots of pictures so I can share my memories with you all! I should have a pit crew t-shirt made for him.
Oh, and here's something fun: We made the local newscast (this really is a small town). You can see the backs of Jenny (pink shirt) and me (lavender shirt) as we go running by the cameraman, and what I think is cool is that we really are running! I know that sounds strange to say, but having only seen pictures of myself running, and knowing how slow I run, I sometimes wonder if I really am moving very fast. Well, I got my answer with that video - good to know!
OK, enough with the words - here's the pictures:
Brad (with his neon new shoes!), Jenny and me (in my supah-cool new sunglasses, which worked perfect for the run!)
One thing about running a race with your trainer - when he suggests warming up, you do it. Here we are walking to a street behind the starting area to do a few warm up laps. Luckily the race announcements started after we only did a few - I didn't want to use up all of my running before the actual race!
My new shirt from One More Mile - I got a few laughs from it...mostly as people were passing me!
Starting 
And we're off!
Here comes Brad - I wonder, what does it feel like to be so far ahead of the pack?
Brad, running for the finish!
At this point, sweat was pouring into my eyes, which then made them tear up and it looked like I was crying - I wasn't, I swear - but I need to address this issue. Maybe wear my Olivia Newton-John sweatband? Or my Bondiband, even though I look kinda goofy in it? Anycase, it's only going to get hotter, so I need to figure out what to do.
So funny - Jenny's friend was running and taking pictures of her!
This is where Jenny left me in the dust...look at the determination on her face - I love it!!!
Brad is saying to me "ten more seconds and you're done!"
Finished!!!
Table of goodies waiting for us!
Me and Jenny - sweaty, happy, done!(P.S. It was so nice of the race organizers to give put our ages on our bibs. What?!?)
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