#8of13 races in 2013 - Run for the Gecko Hawaiian Luau 5K

I have now ran 8 races in 5 months, 7 of them 5Ks and a half marathon. This is well above the pace to reach my goal of running 13 races in 2013.  Today's run was another fun one and the last one in my race calendar until July.  To get in on the Hawaiian luau theme, I donned on a grass skirt, leis and a coconut bra.  I am really getting the hang of wearing a costume to theme races.  It is a lot of fun!  The only downside to today's race was the 5:45 am wake up time to get ready for a 7:15 am start.  I lazily pulled myself out of bed and got ready.  I usually eat an egg, toast and tea before I run a morning race.  However, with a very early wake up time, I didn't feel like cooking eggs much less eating any.  To get some fuel before the run I took 3 bites of cooked instant oatmeal and walked out the door.  I set my Jeff Galloway timer to a 2:00/1:00 run/walk interval (12 min/mi pace).  After a little glitch on the timer (wrong button pushed) I was on my way.  Having lost time reprogramming my timer, I finished at 38:09.  This is 3 minutes over my fastest at 35:43 just last month.  I am still running after a finish of under 30 minutes.  I know I will get there...in time.  For now, I will enjoy the fact that I can run and have been running injury-free.

Next race:  Firecracker 5K, July 4, Melbourne

Before and after the race.  Nice beach towel for all finishers to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Running Zone.

 

Over a thousand runners lined up behind the start line.   (Photo courtesy of Natalie Marshall)

My fellow teachers who have become running buddies!