This past Sunday I ran the OC Fair One Big Fun Run 5k, in
Costa Mesa, CA. This was my first time
running the event, and to be honest, I mainly did it because it was inexpensive
and included a ticket to the OC Fair!
Because as much as I love my “free” shirt and bling, when those things
include a ticket to a place with exciting fried treats, it’s a must-do in my
opinion.
Now, full disclosure…Although my weekend runs have been
pretty on point, my weekday runs have been essentially nonexistent. Sometimes I skip my run because I have
homework to do, which, if I’m being honest, is usually left for weekdays
because I opted for something “more fun” on the weekend. Meh.
And other times it’s because it’s a Monday or Tuesday and I would rather
go shake my booty with my besties at the gym for CDP (search Bernadette Barber
on YouTube; best workout that’s not a traditional workout). So, since I only run one day a week, and even
though that run is usually a longer one, my body is starting to get used to
less mileage. This means that a 5k fun
run suddenly becomes something you dread because you have no idea how your
legs/lungs are going to react.
The good news is, when they call this a “big fun run,” they
aren’t lying! They literally had fun
detours along the course that allowed you to play games, ride a big slide, or
be a rock star onstage with a photo op.
I mean, how much more fun can this get?
And for those people who go to runs to race, challenge themselves, and/or
earn a new PR, they could bypass the detours altogether. So literally, a run for everyone. I am always on the lookout for fun 5ks to
recommend for first-timers and this one definitely made it on the list. The games weren’t just for fun either, you could
actually win prizes! So. Much. Fun.
Now, despite the great time I was having, as I left the rock
star photo op, around 2.5 miles into the run, I was tired. And keep in mind, I had to stop and wait in a
(small) line for the games, then another (slightly longer) line for the slide,
and then another (small) line for the photo op.
So theoretically, I should have been feeling great at the end with all
this resting I did. Unfortunately, I
rounded the last corner and was pooped.
I wanted to walk the last quarter mile and if it wasn’t for the crowd, I
would have! Not to be one of “those
runners,” but this was only a 5k! That’s
the minimum distance I do during my weekday training runs! I’m not a super fast runner, but a 5k is
usually easy enough that I can run a nice comfortable pace the whole way! Yeah, not this time. I haven’t felt this out of shape in a long
time.
Training runs have now been scheduled and put in my
calendar. =)