One of the benefits of visiting Eva in Phoenix is that “winter” for her means 70 degrees on a cold day. Of course I took advantage of the gorgeous temperatures as much as possible and even signed up for a local 5K and set up a bike rental for the weekend. I called my new Phoenix training partner in crime, Darren, and he graciously agreed to accompany for both these ventures.
Bright and early Saturday morning, Darren and I met up at Papago Park for the Women’s Business All the Way 5K. It was the second year for this fun run to raise money for business start-up loans for area women. The race was an out and back and very relaxed – no chip timing and the race director counted down from three to signal the start.
Darren took off and was soon out of sight. I had expected this and warned him before we began that I wasn’t even going to try to match him! Instead, I settled in at a comfortable pace enjoying the lightness of my Brooks T6 Racers. Nothing like racing flats to make you feel fast! I was a little worried about shin pain running on a sidewalk in flats, but happily it didn’t bother me at all.
The first part of the race, one of the high school cross country runners from a local team was hot on my heels. We hit a series of rollers and for a while I thought her gangly legs and youthful abandon on the downhills were going to get the best of me, but in the end she was no match for my crush-you-like-a-walnut cyclist thighs on the uphills. I pulled a way and for the rest of the race I was chasing a pack of cross country boys with a large enough gap behind me and the next runner that I couldn’t hear his footsteps.
About a hundred people showed up for the race and speedy Darren ended up second place overall.
I finished a few minutes later claiming 8th overall and first place female! I’ve never won a running race before, so it was great to taste victory, even if it was a small race. In addition, there were almost as many medals as there were finishers – I ended up getting one for overall finisher and another for winning my age group, plus a $15 gift certificate for a RoadID. The race organizers were so nice and it was great to see so many new 5K runners and walkers finish the race. There were quite a few people along the course and people who finished stuck around to congratulate the people coming in. If I end up in Phoenix again this time next year I’ll definitely do it again!
Kayla says
Soooo what was your time lady? I want to know how slow I truly am now that I am in no shape whatsoever! 🙂 Congrats!
RunningBlonde says
Thanks Kayla! Don’t worry about your time! The nice thing about running is that even when you get out of shape you can always pick up again! I know it’s hard for me to stay in shape when it’s cold and snowy in Wisconsin. I’m looking forward to warm weather!
atongueforyourupper says
Are you still using your T6s? What do you think of them?