Last Saturday I ran the Panther Pride 5K! This race benefitted the Bristow Run Elementary School. My friend Heather’s son attends that school and I met them at their house and we walked about .8 mile to the start. We got to hang out in the gym beforehand and stay warm. I got my first real intro to Zumba, too! I have a friend who does it and know someone who teaches it, but I’ve never seen it! And now that I have…not sure I will be up for trying (at least not alone) any time soon! Haha!
I thought it was perfect weather for a race! A little cool – but not freezing – and overcast! Heather’s son CJ is 8 and kept talking about wanting to beat his mom! I was worried about him beating me!! CJ started right at the front while Heather and I held back a bit. The race started off downhill and the course was sort of a lollipop… you know what that means! The finish would be uphill. Ack! I tried not to think about that.
I ran with Heather for about the first quarter mile or so then pushed on. She told me to catch CJ! I said I’d try… The course went through a neighborhood. I love that! There were some families out cheering and many of the runners were kids with parents from the school. How cool is that?! There was one water stop on the course that you could hit twice. I saved it for the second time and managed to grab a cup on the go and not spill it!
When I had about a quarter mile left to go up ahead I saw CJ! He was walking with another little girl. I called out to him and said “CJ, I’m going to catch you!” So he started running! And I had to up it a notch to stay close! He passed the girl so I told HER to catch him! She started running again! It was all I could do to keep up with CJ and as we approached the finish line while going uphill he literally DOVE across it, thus beating me to the finish! It was AUsome!! A few minutes later Heather crossed and we all went inside for refreshments and a photo op!
Heather’s Facebook status afterwards said, “Who dives over the finish line to beat Gina Welc in a 5K? My kid! He's not competitive AT ALL.” While mine said the following with this picture:
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Panther Pride 5k - check! I tried to pass CJ at the end but he jumped over the finish line ahead of me!! |
The Panther Pride 5K was really a fun race! I really love the small, community events knowing the school is benefitting. My sons' old high school does an annual 5K in the Spring. I hope this year my schedule fits and I can run the Atoms 5K!
Fun race notes: I've been training for long distance this year and have just started doing speed work again. So while this was not a PR at all for me I (1) had a negative split, (2) each mile got faster, and (3) I did not stop till I crossed the finish line! I was so happy! Most of my runs and training runs have involved a 4 minute/1 minute run/walk ratio. (Not 5/1 - haha!)
Next up: SOME Trot for Hunger!
Happy and Healthy Training!
