Get Jiggle With It: Jiggle Butt 5K

A month or so ago That Pink Girl suggested that our little group of gals sign up for and run the Jiggle Butt 5K together on January 4.  Jiggle Butt 5K?  I was instantly *in* for so many reasons: perfect excuse to get together with friends, I need to run more 5Ks, female only race benefits SafeHaven of Tarrant County, and hello....who wouldn't want a race shirt that says "Jiggle Butt Run"?

The weather has been all over the place this winter and the temperature Saturday didn't appear to be especially cold (in the 40s) but the wind was gusting fiercely.  The race was on the campus of University of Texas at Arlington and we were able to seek shelter indoors before the race.  This is always one of my favorite race perks, especially during the winter. 

It is no secret that I think 5Ks are from the devil himself and I would chose to run a dozen half marathons before I chose a 5K.  The anticipation of how hard those 3.1 miles run at top speed will be always puts butterflies in my stomach.  The very fact that I dread them so much tells me that I need to be running them more often.  I never know what to expect, but was hoping that I could get close to my 5K PR. 

Here we go!

The course was essentially a big square around one side of the UTA campus. I knew that the wind would likely be a factor, but hadn't studied the course enough to know if we would be running into it frequently.  I was hoping for a super flat course, but found there to be a few small hills and false flats.

I decided not to look at my watch and quickly covered it once we were off and running.  I tried not to go out too fast and focused on getting around slower runners while trying to run good tangents.  My watch beeped one mile just before the one mile marker....two more to go!

Your favorite Rangers fans

I made it a goal not to get passed by anyone that I had previously passed and I did really well with that.  There was an 8:00 pacer (pacer for a 5K -- that is a first!) just ahead of me and I worked hard to keep her within reach, with the goal of passing her at the end.  Just before mile 2 a person on the sideline started hollering (that is what he does...hollers...in Cajun) -- it was Byron!  What a terrific surprise!  It gave me a momentarily boost...until he said "you are almost to mile 2!" I am convinced that mile 2 of a 5K has to be the worst feeling in the world.  You have been working so hard to get there, but then realize you solidly in the middle.  Not time for that final burst yet and too far from the start for the fresh legs.

Obligatory Shoe Pic

The final corner provided a perfect view of the finish line -- approximately .1 to go!  I passed the pacer, gave it all I had, and crossed the finish line.  I anxiously checked my watch and saw 24:58  -- my third fastest 5K.  I missed my PR by thirty something seconds, but I was happy with my efforts.  I was even more happy when I checked my watch to see that miles 2 and 3 were EXACTLY the same pace. Metronome strikes again!  The official results have me at 7th out of 57 in my age group and 28 out of a reported 2200. 

With our cheerleader, Byron

We all met up for a post race brunch at a little cafe.  The running stuff is all well and fine, but nothing beats sitting around a round table laughing and talking with friends while dining on delicious food.  I would run fifty 5Ks if they all ended just like this.

(All photos courtsey of Mama C -- thanks so much!)