This past Saturday I participated in the BrunchRun 5K at Piedmont Park.
It has been a couple of years since a ran a “real” 5K. Since I have mainly been running half and full marys, I was a little nervous going into the 5K knowing it was going to be short and fast. I have been working on my speed lately so I took this as the opportunity to see if it was paying off and to get a sort of baseline.
The BrunchRun was a late start race (9:00) so it was nice to get up and take my time getting ready.
I decided to break out my new LuluLemon running skirt . I am in love with this skirt BTW!
The race was a small race (around 500 runners) with a very laid back atmosphere. So refreshing! The start of the race was even marked by chalk.
Before the start of the race I met up with Lindsay from Twisted Running . I had the chance to meet her beautiful family, her sister and BIL, and her super fast friend Katie. Basically I have now met almost all of Lindsay’s family so that sort of makes us besties!
After a warm up mile it was time to start the race, Lindsay was shooting for a PR so she made sure to get close to the start line to take off sprinter style.
I knew I would not be able to keep up with the fasty mcfastersons (Lindsay and Katie), so I started a little behind them with the plan to at least keep them in my sight to push myself.
The race ran throughout Piedmont Park, the course was well marked, had two water stops, and had both walkers and runners. The weather was perfect, well maybe on the warm side but what do you expect in May in Atlanta. My plan was to try to stay under 9 minute miles each mile and try not to die. I finished in 27:14. I new PR for me and I managed to run a 8:50 pace!
My splits ended up being 8:49, 9:08, 8:44, and 6:38 (for the .1). I never thought I would be able to run one 9 minute mile much less 3 so I am super pump and encouraged. Guess sprint work really does pay off!
After the race, you could go pick up you coffee mug (they gave out coffee mugs instead of t-shirts) and your breakfast burrito. I love coffee so I may have heard angels singing when I saw this…
The coffee and burritos were great and super filling (the burrito was HUGE).
Well deserved! (Lindsay pulled out a PR also thanks to Katie’s great pacing skills)
After the race, everyone got their brunch and sat on the lawn, hung out, and listened to the race directors give out prizes. I have never been to a race where so many people stayed and just hung out.
It turned out being just a great race with a relaxed, fun atmosphere. I had so much fun at the BrunchRun I am already planning on running this race next year. Apparently I do run faster knowing that there is brunch waiting for me at the finish line.
Do you have a favorite must do race?
I am hoping to make this a tradition.
5k’s love them or leave them?
I am usually more of a 13.1 runner but it was a nice change of pace to run a 5K
