My First Texas Race

Yesterday I ran my first race in Texas: Victory Over Violence 5K. The race went through Trinity River Park, which is one of my favorite parks in FW. It was a flat course that was well shaded. The Monument Avenue 10k, which I ran in 72 minutes with my brother last year, has corrals for its 35,000+ runners. There were maybe 3,500 runners/walkers for the Victory Over Violence, and thus, no corrals. Therefore, there were walkers and baby strollers up front, which easily cost me and my running partner, Suzanne, some time out of the gate. I also tacked on a bit of time near the finish line when part of my cheering squad ran onto the course and tried to run alongside me (it was really cute, though).

My chip time for Saturday's race was 41 minutes. Appalling, really. I can — and have done — SO much better. It was a humbling realization that I'm much slower than I was a year ago. When Nigel and I stayed behind in VA from September through November, I all but cut running out of my routine, opting for yoga three times a week instead. I found a great running partner here in FW in January, but had not really been putting forth the effort during the week on my own. But 'tis the season for new beginnings. So I'm dusting myself off and rededicating myself to running. In fact, I think I'm signing up for another race in 2 weeks ... so I can get in at least one more before it gets hot as heck!