Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

So every year on the fourth of July I run the La Palma Fitness Run for Fun either 5K or 10K. I don’t know how this became a tradition but I used to run the 5K in high school and now as of recent I’ve been running the 10K. Even though I hate 10K distance, I do love small races and this is in the city I grew up in so it has a special place in my heart. The course is flat and very boring but a lot of it is the same streets and paths I would run training in the summer and in high school for cross country. So I must admit, I do love this little baby race. I really want to let you know how small it is because I placed first in my age group. Believe me, I was pretty shocked when I looked at the race results and was hoping to place but definitely not take first! Anyways, here’s the little mini race recap for the little mini race.

I woke up and knew it was going to be a hot one, slathered on the sunscreen and made sure to wear a hat (Go Angels!). I texted Kristy as I was arriving and saw her right away! It’s always so much more fun when you have a friend. She was running the 5K.

Snapped this pic in the parking lot where we both parked! It was pretty warm out already and we lined up in our little respected areas. Me with about what seemed liked 10 other people. I love the small race feel where everyone chats and it seems like it’s a little mini reunion and you can just tell everyone is friendly and nice and just out to enjoy the race and the day! The national anthem was sung and the horn sounded and we started! I personally like starting at the back of races these days, because I like passing people, it makes me feel like I’m running faster. This is a small enough race with big enough streets where you don’t have to weave around many people. Miles 1-3 were pretty boring but I just kept trying to pass more people and kept looking up and made sure I relaxed my shoulders. I have really been working on my posture lately and relaxing my shoulders and taking deep breaths. I worked on my yoga breaths and relaxing. I haven’t run more than 3 miles in quite some time so I just didn’t want to die.

Around mile 4, I really wished for a bathroom, but alas I just told myself that the finish was only two miles away. Awesome. The last mile and a half is in complete sun and it’s warm at that time. It was HOT out! I was really sweaty and took water at the last two stations because I was nervous about how hot it was. I kept running right behind a couple and just told myself to stay with them for the last few minutes. I just kept reminding myself that it was almost over and I just had to keep running. I didn’t have Claude the Garmin with me because I forgot him, but here are my lowly stats.

Overall: 81 out of 186

Women: 11 out of 70

F 25-29: 1 out of 14

Age/Grade: 54.44% Place: 91

Finish: 55:44 Pace: 8:59

Tag Time: 55:44

Gun Time: 55:44

I couldn’t believe it! Not anywhere close to my PR but I’ll take it! Sadly, I didn’t stick around afterwords because I was so hot but I will drive to get my medal sometime this week! But my most favorite part of the race is that they always have popsicles after! YUM! I’m so glad that I got to see Kristy again as well!

So hot and sweaty! But it was a fun race and I love the small races. I am going to make sure to sign up for a few more. They are so fun and I really enjoy them, much more than a marathon :) So here’s my advice, if you want to place in your age group… make sure to find the smallest race around!

xoxo

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Running
• Race Report

View Original Post at chicrunner.com

View Chic Runner's Full Profile