Superhero 5k - Run5k

Man did I set myself up for a tough run!

At the start line, I decided: No expectations, This should be fun- no need to punish yourself any further, It's ok to take it slow and pace with your friends and give them support.

Then the gun went off. And I made some dust.

Knew my start pace was more aggressive than I necessarily needed, but it was SO much fun to chase people! I passed Wonder Woman, TWO of em! Then the Joker a couple Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and what I think was a Super Julia Child?... it was great - I giggled after each one, whether they passed me or I passed them. But of course it was so much more fun to catch up to them and check out their costume before ploughing on.

There was no chip start, so I thought I lost a lot of time getting to the start line, so I was VERY surprised to hear 9:10 as the first mile split! I was still in pain, but I both wanted to do well and wanted to get it over with and wanted to see everyone out there. Seemed like the logical explanation would be to just go for it, keep the pace.

Hit the turn around and wondered why I was the only one flying down the hill. Normally I take em slow, but my knees were fine. Weird. My knees were FINE. Maybe it's just because my head and my stomach were a mess, I didn't notice? No, they were, dare I say... GOOD?

The up hill back to Mass Ave comes up in a block so I felt like I still had some momentum. Saw the Hamburglar slowing down at the top of the hill as I approached and said, no way am I going to get my a$$ kicked by the Hamburglar!

So I charged Hamburglar Hill.

On the Hamburglar's tail and passed him just as we hit the 2 mile mark right after the hill. Time read was 18:30-something, I *think*, but I couldn't hear it.

Saw the Greatest American Hero and started singing to myself, Believe it or not I'm gonna pass you, I never thought I could feel so free-ee-ee! And I got him.

Starting to feel like I was losing steam. My legs were still turning over beautifully, but starting to feel the pressure build in my chest. Guessed I was at 2.5 mi when I saw those who still had a strong finish in them start to kick it in and sprint past me.

Saw one of my First 5k friend's fiancee and waved to her. Kicked it up a bit. Saw my other First 5k friend's fiance and waved to him outside the bar. Kicked it up a bit and turned the corner to what I thought would be a minute from the finish.

Nope. Longer than I thought and two more turns winding back to the mat. The winding back to the finish psyched me out a bit, I pushed too soon, and then -GASP!- it happened: I got taken by the Hamburglar!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Disappointed, I checked myself and realized that I was still keeping my strong steady pace and saw the clock ahead at 28 minutes and knew I was looking at a PB.

Channeled the power of Isis for the last few strides in.


Skip the second and third mug and the scotch at Bukowski's. Eat the dinner Jonah made for me rather than passing out.

Take the costume out for a test run the day before (had some logistical issues that I was fixing on the fly during the race).

When my buddy and I go to check out the race course the week before, come with a map (oops! I forgot it on my desk) so I can see the course and not be psyched out by the winding length at the end.

Run to grab three waters for my buddies crossing the finish line after me. They all did so awesome! So much better than my first 5k, I think.


Hangover. Lack of sleep. Little else.


Really enjoyable race and so much fun that practically EVERYONE dressed up.

First race for this RD who used to work for BA Events. I think she did a really great job for the first year, but it was a small, manageable, and enthusiastic crowd. Next year will be on Halloween proper, so that will be a lot of fun!

Oh yeah...

Holy PB, Batman!