Help Fight Drug Abuse 5K Run/Walk Race Report
Whenever I travel I check google and Running in the USA for races in my travel destination. Good habit or bad habit, who knows, but I think it’s fun to check out different events that I otherwise might not ever know about.
When I started talking to Gina about visiting the weekend of the 13th back in May there was only one race on Running in the USA – an expensive NYRR race in Central Park. We weren’t that interested and didn’t pursue it. But I checked the site again in June and all of a sudden there was a plethora of choices, including two events in Astoria, where Gina lives, on July 15th!
There was a 5K put on by the Federation of Italian American Organization of Queens (FIAO) and a 10K tour of Astoria that ended in the Beer Garden. The 5K won with its earlier start time, shorter distance, cheaper cost and location (a few blocks from their home). So Gina signed up herself, her husband, her husband’s brother, and me.
Since the race was put on by the FIAO we decided we needed to dress in the colors of the Italian flag. Who knew that finding a reasonably priced red tank would be so hard? I had looked all over in stores for one for another race in May, and finally found one on Amazon in June. Derp.
Well, that’s a lot of lead up for a 5K. Let’s cut to the chase. Or maybe more of a crawl, than a chase.
It’s July, it’s hot. I only race in the summer for fun. Summer is not PR time for me by any means. But this was such a small race, I decided to aim for 8:00 minute miles and see what kind of placement I got in my age group.
The course was an L shaped out and back. Up an incline, down it, flat, up the incline in reverse, down it. We ran under the Hell Gate Bridge and to the Triborough Bridge. It was 80° and humid. Each mile was slower. I powered through the last 1.5 miles, passing a few and also getting passed. The outside of my left foot was burning from the friction. I told myself I hated running and was never doing it again. But don’t we all think that when we are running 5Ks?
The great thing about the out and back is that I got to see Gina, Steve and Greg (Steve’s brother) and give them high fives on course. And we had spectators – Luca, Gina’s dad and his wife, and Greg’s wife and son. They cheered me on right before the finish. My heart was beating so hard when I was done I thought something was wrong, but I felt better when I took my visor off (even though salty sweat then poured in to my eyes).
Photo taken by Gina’s dad’s wife
I saw Greg finish, then Steve, then I ran back out on the course to run Gina in (read Gina’s race report too! – hers is much more entertaining). I think everyone agreed that the humidity and inclines made the course really challenging, but I still think everyone did really well! A few of us swore never to do 5Ks again but I already signed myself, Gina and Steve up for one out here in August. It will probably be another miserable hot race, but those races are best when shared with friends!
Photo taken by Gina’s dad’s wife
There was a nice spread of fruit (watermelon!) after the race and a kids run too. I have no idea what my final time or place was. Gina and I waited a bit for times to be posted, but they were doing a raffle first and that took a very long time. Maybe they will be up on their site in the next few months. My watch said 26:09 for 3.2 miles (I started the watch before I crossed the start line since it was not chip timed).
Themocracy
Running in the USA, eh? I’ve always had a hard time trying to find races when I go somewhere for the weekend. Now that I have the site, I need to work on getting friends to do it with me in said destination…
Yeah! Check it out. You can kind find a lot of obscure little races there 🙂
As the days go by, I keep remembering things that I forgot to recap like the green, white and red shirt colors! I like that picture of all us! I am always in so much awe when I see you run!
Aww, thanks! I liked the pics a lot that you shared today! 🙂
Can we just be done with this heat already? I’m not even running in it (#injuredrunner) but it’s just miserable.
Great job and way to get the whole family out!
It sure has been hot. I love the warm temps but to a certain point. Above 90F is just not fun, especially with the humidity. Great job on the race! Sometimes running for fun is fun!
Sounds like a fun race, nice that it was within walking distance. I like the out and back runs so I can yell encouragement to other runners going the other way, and it is fun to see the leaders sprint by. You guys got some low bib numbers (4,5,10,18)! Either you guys registered way early or it was a small race.
Both – early registration and very small race 🙂
I’m really impressed at your summer running! And now I crave watermelon. I clearly retain the most irrelevant piece of information from the entire post. Ha!
Aww, thank you! I am telling you – watermelon after a 5K – AMAZING! Okay, watermelon anytime, awesome 🙂
I hate running 5ks with a passion. Seriously. Can’t wait until I can start running long distances again!
Small races are such a hoot, aren’t they? Sounds like the weather affected everyone but you still managed to have a good time together.
Love that you guys dressed in the colors of the Italian flag! I am surprised that it was so hard to find a reasonably priced red tank top – who knew!?!?!?
Congratulations on an amazing race! Way to push through! And I’ll have to check out that website for future travels, thanks for sharing!
5Ks really are the worst race distance ever, by the way. I swore after my last one that I’d never run another 5K ever again… and so far I’ve held true to that. =D
Ha ha ha. You will be signed up for one before you know it. Are you thinking about the ZOOMA HM and 5K on 10/20 at all?