Race for the Rescues - Run5k

Ok, so 674 raced this 5k and about a hundred of them raced with their dogs. Although the race was not wetsuit legal it was pooch and leash optional. Also I had purchased a racing belt after reading the RR from triathlons. I was the only person rocking the racing belt. But my first bib ever was number 1101, way better than the 666 bib number the lady i saw later had, so bobby pins would not do. The mocking did not bother me as much as my inability to know how high to put it. Did I want to have it superman high or loincloth low? I went with the worst choice of napkin on the belly placement. uncomfortable yet civilized. I stood myself in the middle of the starting pack so it took me a bit to get across the line after the horn. The first mile I ran very easily. There was a slight uphill grade for most of the first mile which wouldn't have been an issue except for almost all of my training has been on a treadmill. So in addition to the dogs around me my quads also started barking immediately. This did not concern me as much as being clotheslined by a leashed, run away dog. I crossed the one mile marker and checked my swiss army knife watch. It is not digital so I did mile one in either nine or twelve minutes. I felt good but I thought I went to slow at the time so I decided to pick up the pace a bit. The second mile was down hill so i attempted to lengthen my stride and run faster down hill to pick up some time. I saw the first water station a bit in front of me and thought to myself I dont need any water but those guys on TV look cool grabbing it on the fly. This is harder then it looks. Apparently there is some timing involved, I did not know this. I lunged toward a very nice volunteer who immediately became afraid of my 6'4 220 lb frame barreling toward her, but she was saved by a pack of not dogs mind you, but sixteen year old girls in 'we are training for a marthon' t-shirts. They jumped in front of everyone and denied me access to even an attempt. I ran on, upset at my not being able to experience my first water exchange. I picked up the pace and decided to try passing each person in front of me. This took my mind off being tired and worked great into mile number three, the home stretch. I started to say to myself I can run a good time here, not remembering that any time I run will be a PR. I picked up the pace and immediately got a side stitch that said. 'no sir, i will not accept payment tuesday for a hamburger today.' I had to dial it back so that I wouldn't have to walk. I promised myself I would not walk, that was more important to me than breaking thirty. i had no idea what my time was so when i came around the curve and could see the finish in the end my heart sank when i saw 30 minutes. I picked up the pace and crossed the line with an offical 30:45. It hurt but I accomplished my A and B goal with something to strive for. Did I leave 46 seconds on the course? yes, but just barely. My girlfriend and my Boston Terrier greeted me at the finish line. I think I heard the announcer say, Wade you are not an Ironman but a graduate of the 'aggressive couch to 5k!' Maybe I heard that wrong, I'm not sure.

Edit: ok updated the official time was 30:45 with me running in 118 out of 674 people.

Start closer to the front, could of picked up free seconds here because i had to wait to cross.

hands on knees telling my girlfriend to stop my dog from licking my face


weight. I should be 210, not 220. two, run outside more. the treadmill is great but totally unfamiliar with road/trail running. The good news is I can control all of these things. Oh yeah, keep training! Sprint tri in march here I come.


Great post game swag, for dogs. Tons of free stuff for animals. a great event for a great cause. I could not have asked for a better first race.