Yesterday, I ran in my first 5K. Overall it was a really great experience, though it started out somewhat badly because they actually didn’t have my registration when I showed up. I talked to someone at the “late registration” booth and they were really great about it. They got me registered and didn’t even ask me to pay again, just trusted that my original registration would eventually turn up. You gotta love small-town races 
So after I got my little registration snafu squared away, I got myself settled near the starting line.
As I expected, the whole thing was pretty low-key. They had one lane of the main road closed down for the runners. Everyone just kind of stood around in the road until the race “official” stood out at the front of the crowd and yelled, “GO!”
The first minute or so of the race was pretty bunched up, but after that everyone got spread out a bit more and there was plenty of room to run. I had initially positioned myself around the middle of the pack, but I was actually finding myself passing more people than were passing me! About a mile into the race, however, I got passed by a guy wearing a hot dog costume, and suddenly I had a goal for the race – don’t get beat by the guy wearing the hot dog costume!
Most of the race course was pretty flat, so I was able to keep up a pretty good pace. Near the end of the course was one of the few decent-size hills. By the time I got to the top of that, I was breathing pretty hard, but then I turned the corner and could see the finish line less than a half mile away. So I kicked it into high gear and finished out strong. Here I am just after coming through the finishing chute.
They didn’t have any fancy chip timers or anything like that, so they kept us lined up in the order we finished in so they could record our bib numbers. I’ll be interested to see the “official” results, since I can’t imagine that their times are very accurate. I kind of figured this was going to be the case, so I used the RunKeeper app on my phone to track my “real” race time.
Speaking of which, I was pretty excited about my finishing time: 25:35 – almost a full minute faster than I was hoping for. Hard to complain about a time like that for my first 5K.
And the best part of the race? I finished ahead of the guy in the hot dog costume!
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Congratulations on beating the Hotdog and the great time!
That’s frickin’ awesome! Not only did you have a great day, you had a great time.
Came a long way since January, huh?
Jeremy Logsdon recently posted – A Personal Trainer Weigh-In
Thanks Jeremy. It is pretty amazing to look back and think how I could barely run for a minute at a time just a few months ago.
Brandon, it sounds like you had a great experience! And definitely a new PR–and you beat the hotdog!! Just keep up the pace, and don’t relax, okay?
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**cheering in Texas**
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Great job!!!! Sounds like you had a fun time. And isn’t it nice to finish faster than you thought you would? The beauty of races is that we push ourselves a little harder. Keep up the hard work. You inspire me!
Yeah, I think all the other runners and the “thrill of the race” is what had me really pushing myself.
As I was getting towards the end of your post I was just thinking ‘what about the hot dog!?’ and then you slipped it in at the end.
Great job with your 5k, have you got another one lined up for later in the year?
Darren
Ha ha, yeah I was pretty happy to beat the hot dog
I don’t have another 5K lined up right now, but I’m currently training for a 1/2 marathon on August 15th!
Woohoo! You are awesome, I’m also cheering over here in Alberta, you might be able to hear if you’re really, really quiet. I beat that is some great confidence for that upcoming (slightly longer) race.
Thanks Rita, I think I might have heard a few chirps all the way over here
That’s a great run! Congrats
Wow, Brandon
You are getting pretty slim.
Frank
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Thanks Frank! I’m definitely happy with how things are coming along weigh-wise, though I can definitely still see room for improvement. Though I look at it more as “getting fit” now rather than “losing weight”.
You’re looking fab Brandon! Good job on the race too!!!! You kicked the hotdog’s butt! I think there may be some symbolism there somewhere in that!!!!
Ha ha, very true Carla, I hadn’t even thought of that!
Well done Brandon! This will be the first of many races I’m sure.
Oh, definitely!
You did awesome!!! and you look amazing. great job you should be so proud of yourself
Wow, 25:35 is a great time for your first race. I’m jealous.
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