Cherry Creek Sneak - 5k - Run

Did intervals of 3 min. running/2 min. walking, so I kept leap-frogging with other racers. When it came time to do my last walk interval, I could see the finish line so I just decided to run through it. I picked up the pace for the last 400 m and crossed the finish line with a big smile.

Definitely not wear the team t-shirt. It was a tech shirt but I wore it over the top of a long-sleeved shirt and my rain jacket. The crew neck of the shirt kept me from being able to vent as well, so I got a little warm. it also caused the collars of my shirt and jacket to chafe a little, which was annoying. Also not eat as late as I did. I still felt full at the start. It didn't bother me while running, but it wasn't a particularly comfortable feeling.

Waited for A, who had dropped back due to stomach cramps, then walked back to the car. No looking around for others from work or checking out the vendor/food area. It was pouring rain, we were wet to the skin and we just wanted to get into some dry clothes.


Doing run/walk intervals and narrow parts of the road that caused bottlenecks. I also woke up with some chest congestion and a cough and I didn't want to end up wheezing. My shoe came untied about 2/3 of the way; need to remember to double knot the laces!


I knocked nearly 4 min. off my time compared to last year!! (Last year was 36:31.) I think I was doing the same intervals last year. I know I'm running faster and probably walking faster as well. A was actually jogging a bit to keep up with me when I was walking. :) I was able to maintain a 2 in/3 out breathing pattern throughout. I didn't cough or wheeze, or even snuffle too much, although I probably would have if I'd gone any faster on the run. Hip/glutes/hammy didn't cause any problems at all. Knee started talking a little, but not bad enough to slow me down. I looked back at previous race reports and this run was faster than my 1st all-run 5k in June of last year. Yippee!!!!

I felt really sorry for the poor cops who had to stand in the rain along the route. I made sure to thank all of them and even high-fived one. I could tell they really appreciated the thanks. There was a runner who dropped to a walk right close to the end; I could tell he was frustrated and really tired. I told him he was almost there and he grinned and started running again. Afterwards, he came up and thanked me for helping him finish. I don't know where this cheerleader self came from, but I just love doing stuff like that.

I'm not crazy about this race because it's kind of big and crowded but it was fun to see my improvement over last year. I don't know that I'll do it next year, though. It's not a very pretty route and there are a lot of potholes in the roads.