Race Report: Shut Up and Run XC 5K

Also known as my Thanksgiving Day turkey trot.

When I started running back in 2007 I thought it would be a good idea to run a race on Thanksgiving Day. I figured if I ran a race I could eat as much as I wanted the rest of the day. Good thinkin', right?

And in 2008 I did the same thing. So this year, I figured I might as well make it a tradition for the rest of my life. Or until old age claims the use of my legs. Whichever comes first.

This year I ran the Shut Up and Run XC 5K here in Saint Augustine. I was really hoping to beat my previous 5K PR time of 26:40, but all hopes of that went out the window when I realized they weren't lying about the whole "XC" thing. There was grass, dirt, pavement, sand, trails, random tree branches, etc. All elements that equal careful footing, and not so much fast running.

Anyway, it was actually cold, too. And by "cold" I mean 50, maybe 55 degrees. For the love of all that is holy, I had to wear my jacket! (I know, you can all stop throwing tomatoes right now....)

Just before the race with my cute dog, Marley.

Anyway, the gun went off I started running. My goal was to pick a runner that was a bit faster than me, pass him/her, then pick another runner to pass, and continue on in this fashion until the end. I've heard of a lot of runners that have done this, but I never have. I usually just run at my pace, not care who passes me, and finish when I finish. Not this time, my friends. Not this time.

I was running hard, but I was passing people. Not just women, but men, too. The only time I ever pass a man is when he's 1.) fat, or 2.) really old. But I say again, fellow bloggers, not this time. I passed (or, rather, "chicked") at least five or six fit-looking guys, all of whom seemed to be around my age. It was fan-freakin-tastic!

This chick in pink gave me a run for my money. Soon enough, though, she was left in my dust!

The course was fun, too. I was surprised to find out that I really liked the whole "XC" thing. I did see one girl eat it on the bridge, though. I tried not to laugh because I figured if I did, I'd be the next one to hit the ground ass first. And I saw a little kid run right into a pole. That had to have hurt, for reals!

It turned out to be a pretty good race because I PRd by 16 seconds. That's right, folks. I got a new PR!

26:24