3k Race Report

Okay, so this race report was a looooooong time coming. I ran the 3k almost 2 weeks ago. There’s not a whole lot to say about my experience from start to finish. I jogged the whole thing on minimal sleep. There were hills. There were no mile markers. My pace was 10:05.

However, the race in and of itself is worth its own race report. Spring Hill Elementary put on the race as fundraiser for the school and an effort to encourage physical fitness. From what I understand during recess students had the opportunity to “train” for the 3k by completing laps with their class.

I remember when I was in 4^th grade there was a running initiative at my elementary school to run the number of miles that it would take to get to Atlanta, GA for the '96 Olympics. I felt so ripped off when I discovered there was no chance to win a trip to the Olympics. Like what was the point in running the distance as a school if I wasn’t going? Talk about pouring salt into an open wound. Every day I was reminded a vacation to the Olympics wasn’t in the budget of my fam, the annoying boy who had a crush on me WAS going, and I was one of the slowest kids in the class. I didn’t play sports as a kid… I took Ballet…so really I wanted nothing more than to play on the playground, but couldn’t because our teacher made us run everyday while her lazy ass watched us. This was actually something we discussed every day. Our teacher acted like running was so fun, but never did it with us.

The fact that the Spring Hill Fun Run/Walk was supposed to be a family affair was the first thing that caught my attention. Obesity in America is a topic that’s always harped on, and I really think the only way we are going to combat this is if families [and teachers] and friends exercise together. I know if I were in Elementary school I would have wanted my parents to participate with me….and maybe that alone is motivation for everyone involved to get to the point where they can run 1.86 miles.

Not everyone ran the 3k. I saw a few people running with strollers at a brisk pace and was really impressed at their level of fitness. It seemed like a lot of people used a run/walk “Galloway method...” And then some people walked the whole thing. Either way, getting up and exercising before 9am on a Sunday is a great accomplishment. At least in my world.

We were all at the starting line behind a string. It was dropped without much of a fanfare, so most people started making a comment along the lines of “Whoa, it’s started.” Even when a big deal is made out of the start of a race, I still at times have that reaction. So, no biggie. I just quickly turned on my watch timer and started jogging.

Now, in most races I think it’s tempting to start too fast and if I’m not careful I’ll find myself trying to start at a pace that I can’t maintain the whole time because someone around me is. But, I don’t think anything compares to starting a race with a bunch of boys ages 8-10. A lot of them had no concept of pacing themselves…so I went from concern that they would run me over, to amusement as I kept on jogging and they walked around turn number 1. Amateurs.

I will say beating some young boys somehow made up for the fact that I wasn’t a good runner in elementary school. Sweet revenge if you will. Please overlook the fact that I’m 24 and many of them had a single digit age. [Because I am.] ;)

The post race festivities were really cute. Everyone hung out around the playground. There were water bottles, bagels from Panera, apples, and (though I dislike them) Chewy granola bars. There was a high school band playing….this one kid did a keyboard mash up of just about every song that’s well known or has been popular in the past year. I think he wrote it himself. It was really impressive.

I’d be interested in participating in another event like this. It’s the exact opposite of a big, huge, long race…but very fun in its own way.