Dashing like a Diva

I've been behind on blogging. Clearly. I'm trying to catch up.

For the past couple years, I've run in the Diva Dash 5K. It's a really fun, all-girls race close to our house. Think pink, pink and tutus, and you have a picture of what the race is all about. So, when my friend Jackie sent out a message seeing if anyone wanted to join a team, I immediately signed up.

Because it's a women's only race, and they have prize money, there are some fast runners. I had no hope of winning anything, but was just going to go out and see how fast I could go. I've been working on my speed a lot over the winter, so I was just curious.

They have a Lil' Princess Fun Run for the girls, too. My girls love receiving a tiara and medal as they cross the finish line, so they were all on board with running this race again this year. And, yes, Charlotte picked out my running outfit. When I laid the girls' clothes out the night before, she decided I also needed to wear my pink race shirt, black under shirt, black pants and tutu skirt. So, I made her happy.

Cory and the girls and I get to the race, and I'm about to get out of the car when I realize that I've forgotten my bib and timing chip at home. *facepalm*  Now, unfortunately, this is not the first time I have done this. I really think I need to start exercising my brain and memory muscles in addition to my quads and hamstrings. But, good husband that he was, Cory left me there to do a warm-up mile with Anne and Kelli and headed back to pick up my stuff. I felt like an idiot and was also very glad that I have a very nice husband.

Me, Anne, Kelli and Jackie before the race started. And, after Cory delivered my bib and timing chip.

We lined up in the starting corral and before I knew it, the race gun went off. Unfortunately, I did not have my music going. I quickly flipped my iPod onto the first thing I could get. That was a Freakanomics podcast. Hmmm, I love listening to those while I'm driving around town to preschool or gymnastics, and even when I'm doing a long run. But sprinting in a race? Nope. So, after about a half mile, I couldn't handle it anymore. I had to fumble with my iPod to find music. Thankfully, I found my running fast playlist. Ahhh, much better.

Because this race is fairly close to my house and is on roads that I've run on all the time, I knew the course. This is great. And, not so great. I knew where I was headed, but I also knew the giant hill that was waiting for me in mile 3. I hate that hill up 119th. I always have. Blech. But, after 2 miles of sprinting, I just had to power through. Head down, arms pumping, I made it up.

I had no idea where I was in terms of the overall race, but I thought I was doing ok. I was hoping to PR. So, when I saw a 22:something on the finish line clock, I was bummed. My PR was 21:57. Oh well, I'd run hard. It had had hills. I got a cool medal.

About to cross the finish line. Not my most attractive picture, but I like that both my feet are in the air.

With the girls after I finished.

I stuck around close to the finish line to find Cory and the girls, then what do you know, I see Anne crossing the finish line in record time. A new PR for her! WooHoo for her!

After we finished, we took a cute picture with the backdrop.

We had to wait around a while for the Lil Princess race to begin, so Anne and I started walking around. We ran into my friend Jill while wandering.

Me and Jill.

Then, the three of us headed over to get our official results from the race. They have this nifty little printout system where they can print our your timed results right there on the spot from your bib number.

And, what should I discover? I got 1st place in my age group. What the what?!? Did not think that was going to happen. My official time was 22:31, but I guess that was good enough. I got an extra medal (gold), and two gift certificates. One to Title 9 (a workout clothes store) and one to a new burger restaurant. Cory was very excited about the burger gift card. I was just so excited in general.

Holding up my loot!

Yes, I'm a dork. 

With Anne waiting for the Lil Princess race to begin.

Anne and Molly posing. Anne was super sweet to hang out to watch the girls run.

 Then, the Lil Princess race started. They run in age groups, so Charlotte was before Molly.

Look at her go!

Love this one!

Cory had the camera, and he completely missed finding Molly in the mass of pink and tutus. But, we got an ok one from the race photographer.

Running her heart out.

The girls were super excited with their tiaras and medals. Though, neither of them were fans of the cupcakes they handed out to the girls because they had coconut. Can't blame them for that, I hate coconut. Blech.

It was such a fun morning, and I'm not just saying that because I got 1st place in my age group. I swear.

The girls!