1st Annual Cherry Blossom 5K

What a beautiful day for a race! Today I woke up bright and early and headed over to Fairmount Park to run. 

This was the 1st Annual Cherry Blossom 5K and I was excited to run in the inaugural race. I think it was the smallest race I had ever run in. As some of you may know, it has always been a goal of mine to place (or possibly win?!) a race. When I got to the registration table and found out there was only 180-200 people running, I put my race face on and got ready to get my booty in gear!

Fiancé was an awesome race photographer and got some great shots throughout the race. He got these pics of me about a half a mile in.

I was in third place. Stupid boys were beating me.

 

I held on to third for about a mile, but then more stupid boys started to pass me. Grrrr! Fiancé caught up with me about mile 1.5 and I was feeling ok. I had a good amount of space between me and the next person behind me.    

At this point I was in 2nd place for the females. I was feeling ok and really trying to hold on to my lead. I wanted to place!

 

Through most of this race I was really trying to keep track of where the other women runners were. One super fast lady ran by me a little into the first mile and she kept her lead. I had this other woman a good ways behind me for most of the race, but then around mile 2.5 she caught up with me!

 

She was running pushing a stroller and catching up to me!  My competitive side (which is a pretty massive side of me) took control. I could not let a woman pushing a baby beat me.

 

She was awesome and I totally respect her for dominating the race like that pushing her kid. She just was not allowed to pass me. I would not let that happen.

  

In then end I picked up my pace as much as it hurt, and continued to push forward. I was so close to the finish line I could feel it. I knew I would be disappointed with myself if I didn’t finish strong and take second place!

Here are my splits:

Mile 1: 7:03

Mile 2: 7:45

Mile 3: 7:25

Unofficial 5K time: 22:16

A new 5K Race PR! Woohoo! I beat my previous 5K PR time from September by about a minute and a half!

I was greeted at the finish line by fiancé and was immediately given lots of victory kisses from Jackson.

Jackson was proud of me!

After I got my bearings, it was time to watch Meredith finish strong!

      

When I saw Mere coming around the corner, I ran to catch up with her to help her finish strong.

    

Mere did awesome! The puppies congratulated their mommies on a job well done!

We also have to thank our awesome spectators! Fiancé, Jackson, Kevin and Ruby did an awesome job cheering us on!

 

Family pictures:

   

Jackson had so much fun frolicking around in the grass. It was such a beautiful day outside. He also loved all the attention he was getting from other spectators.   

Jackson and Ruby were both pumped they got to come for the race!

 

Then it was time for the awards! I was nervous and hopeful that I was going to place!

 

VICTORY! I got 2nd place for females!

 

I was so happy! I even got a cool pink medal that says “2nd”

Jackson wanted to try on the medal. He was proud of his mom!

 

2nd place! Woop woop!

I’m coming after 1st place next year!

After the race there was a festival going on for the cherry blossoms. We walked through some of it on our way back to the cars. I wish we could have stayed for longer to enjoy the day, but we have to head on back to Pre-Cana round 2 today! 

On our drive home I did managed to snap an awesome picture of Philly from Fairmount Park.

Gorgeous right?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!