Race Recap: Walnut Festival 5K
SURPRISE! Today, I convinced Chicken Face, my cousin and his girlfriend to come out to the Walnut Creek Festival Run for a good ol’ 5k. Sorry Cody, if you say, “Hey Page, let me know next time there’s a 5k, I want to run one,” I will find one for you the very next weekend. You’ve been warned. Plus, I was happy to support Aron and Kristin who worked so hard to put this 5/10k on.
Given my pure lack of sleep and my loathing hatred for 5Ks, I didn’t talk much about this race leading up to it as I wasn’t really sure how I was going to approach it. But as Aron will be the first to call out, once I get to the race and totally am consumed by the energy of other racers, I usually go for it.
Our good friend Katie was also running the 5K and lately, she’s been taking 1st place at every race like they were free Costco samples. Thus, I was happy to have her there as a bit of motivation/inspiration.
As we toed the start line, a couple of 9-year-old boys trash talked us, mocking the speed at which a girl could run. What’s that 9-year-old? Are you challenging me? Not cool. I kid…I kid…but seriously…
Using the only smart advice I’ve ever been given about how to attack a 5K…I ran until my eyes bled. Well, not really, but you can see where we’re going with this. Essentially, you run until you think you can’t run anymore, then HOLD ON.
Attack of the Quadzilla!
Thank you for clapping, Mr. Officer.
While it wasn’t a PR, I was happy to cross the finish line in 19:thirty-something. OH HOW THE LUNGS STUNG!
I quickly joined Aron to cheer on everyone else who was out that morning. Chicken Face ( who doesn’t even LIKE running) looked happy — cotton shirt and all.
To add to the great morning, I realized that I was third female overall and first in my age group. HOLLA – I’ve never placed OVERALL before! That’s the beauty of smaller races. My good friends Katie and Tara also joined me on the podium – a great group all around.
BUT WAIT! It get’s better…Chicken Face and I were walking to get water when I hear his name called over the speakers.
“CHICKEN FACE! That’s you!” I screamed.
“No, no, there must be someone else with my name…” he pled.
“NO! YOU GOT SECOND PLACE!”
I pushed him up to the podium where he was partly shocked and humble the whole way. THAT’S MY MAN!
A great race with good friends, an overall and age group win, and my Chicken Face taking the podium for the first time ever.
Le sigh. Today was good and exactly what I needed.
I hope you all had a great weekend and were able to pay tribute to those we lost in 9/11 and those who continue to fight for us.
Happy Running!
Small races are awesome. Congrats!
Yayyyy you ROCKED it girl and looked SO STRONG out there!! Check out that stride
loved having you there today and loved getting to cheer you on! Thank you so much for coming out to support our race, it really meant so much to me to have you there <3 congrats on TOP THREEEEEEE!
Congrats on placing!!! That is huge! And you are insanely fast! You would place first OVERALL in all of our local races here because, well, the turnout is not really that great most of the time. I think the fastest female during a 5k generally runs a 20:xx – 21:xx.
cutest race recap ever! congrats to both of you!
Laughing my ass off …..great job!
Chicken face your always a winner in my books.
hooray! i’m glad your race went so well! And that’s awesome that your newly wed mojo got you both on the podium! way to go guys!
Looks like a fun race! Congrats to the two of you!
amazing page!!!!!!
I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS!!!! The women’s finisher’s podium! CF on the podium! THE CLAPPING OFFICER CHEERING JUST FOR YOU!!!!! Congrats!!!!
I love the first pic! Great stride! Nice report!
ok, that first pic is LEGIT! congrats on a strong race and the overall win (to both you and chicken face!)
I *love* the podium pictures! So excited to know celeb runners! Congrats to all of you!
Congrats, you two!!
Did you beat the 9 year olds??
YAY!! Nice running to both of you – age group placement!?!? Whoa! Awesome!
Wahoo, good job! How fun for both of you to place too! What a speedy couple.
Look at you go girlie! That officer was def checking you out, hubba hubba. Love the nike top by the way.
Congrats on BOTH racing and placing!
You two are so cute and I’m glad you had such a fun time and both took home some awards. Nice work speed demon.
Both winning awards?!? You all are a baller couple!
Aw, so cute! Congrats to both you and Chicken Face on the podium appearances. Agreed, sometimes a low key fun race like this is exactly what you need to get the mojo back. And, 19:XX is a great performance!
PS- Want more details on your NYC visit! I’m away in Chicago the weekend you’re here, but am determined to find a way to meet up during the week, if you’re not swamped with work!
Look at those action photos! That is finesse in action my friend!!! Great job to you both! Way to rock it
You look like a running rockstar out there…seriously! Congrats on the podium finish!
Great photos! Congratulations! You and Chicken Face are just the cutest running couple.
Awesome job on the race! Those are some sweet pics! You caught some serious air in one of those pics!
And great job to chickenface too!
Looking speedy! well done! Congrats to both of you!