Women's Running Magazine 5k Recap!

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of running a 5k with one of my sisters, Briana! This was Briana’s first 5k and I am so excited that I got to run it with her! Our race weekend started with a trip to the expo to pick up our race bibs, shirts and bags.

There wasn’t a whole ton to see or do at the expo – would say at most there were 30 vendors, but it was still a good time. It was really hard not to spend a fortune on all of the fun running stuff they had. I did however cave in and buy a Spibelt. I have been wanting one of these for a while and I ended up getting it at the expo since it was a little cheaper plus no shipping and handling (plus I could pick out one with a hot pink zipper hehe).

It’s basically like a fanny pack (remember those? hah) but much slimmer and very comfortable to wear. I used it during the 5k and I have to admit, I absolutely love it! It is perfect for races, I can throw my keys and phone in it and I’m good to go!

There was also a RunDisney booth with a display of all the race medals, so I got to see the Tinker Bell Half Marathon medal in person – and it was really cool (and heavy!)!

As soon as we got home we sorted through our bags and checked out all the cool stuff :)

When Sunday morning rolled around we hurried over to the Tempe Town Lake where the race was being held. For any of you in the Phoenix area, you’ll understand when I say it was freezing Sunday morning – I think it was 45 degrees out when we started running, we are so not used to that!

Since Thursday I hadn't been feeling well, and I’m pretty sure I had come down with the flu – so I wasn’t planning on actually running this race. I figured I would walk it since I could hardly talk without coughing, so Briana and I started pretty far back from the starting line. Once the race officially started it took us a while to even get to the starting line, since there were so many people walking in front of us. I decided to try to jog a little to get around some of them and before I knew it I was weaving in and out of the crowd passing people.

This race actually didn’t have any water stations for the the 5k (only the half marathon) so I just kept on going – and going until I reached the finish line. I was completely shocked that I made it running the whole way! And in my best time in months – 30:32!! Although it may have been a bad decision to run when I was already sick (especially since it progressed into bronchitis..) but it was nice to finish in good time!

I waited for Bri to cross the finish line and get her medal, then we checked out the the Cookie Café. Before heading home we decided to watch the first half marathon finisher pass the finish line – she completed it in 1 hour and 15 minutes, oh and she didn’t even look tired when she finished! So amazing!

Overall it was a fun race, maybe next year I’ll consider running the half ;)