McCarren 5k

Two weekends ago, I ran my first 5k of the season – the McCarren 5k. McCarren Park holds a special place in my heart. It’s a place that I used to fly kites with my dad as a kid and a place I went in high school to watch the soccer players practice. When I saw a banner on the park gates announcing the 5k, I knew I had to run it. This was only the second year that the run was held, and the number of runners doubled since last year.

I woke up on race day to pouring rain. I laid in bed thinking about forgetting the rainy run and sleeping in. As appealing as it sounded, I knew I couldn’t not go. I was naturally running late, but since the run was so close by, I got to the start line just in time to hear the send off. The race was three laps around the park – one smaller and two larger. The course was very well marked with lots of volunteers along the course holding arrows showing us where to go.

Since it had been cold and rainy going in, I was wearing a jacket, but as I started to warm up, I wanted nothing more than to take my jacket off. I was kind of proud of my mid run wardrobe change, but I had to stop to take off my Garmin because I couldn’t get my sleeve off. At one point during the run I was pretty sure I was the only person left. I could see a few people ahead of me, but no one behind me. With only 500 participants, groups got pretty spread out, but luckily I wasn’t last!

I had to take some walking breaks, but eventually I made it to the finish line in 36:39, with an average pace of 11:49 per mile. It’s not my best 5k time, but its a start. I can only go up from here throughout the summer.

I also loved the email I received a few minutes after crossing the finish line!

What’s your fastest 5k?