The weekend before last, I participated in the annual Davis Pride Run for Equality 10k again. If you recall, I ran this small local race last year for the first time and it’s the 3rd time they’re putting it on.This time, my dear friend (and running buddy!) Susi signed up as well.
We met at 8 a.m. at the registration table, used the rest rooms and warmed up a bit. It was already quite warm.
The race was pretty small with just about 200 participants. 146 ran the 5k, 50+ ran the 10k race. Still, it’s a nice race for a good cause and I was happy to participate.
The run started at 9:10 a.m. and it was all pretty casual. I wanted to run a good time, but since I ran this race as part of my half marathon training, I didn’t worry too much about pace and just tried to run by effort. The course was a mostly flat, easy path through parks and neighborhoods.
I made it back in what my watch told me to be well under one hour, but I wasn’t sure what my actual time was going to be as race tracking was a bit weird (they made the 10k runners start from about two blocks of where the 5k runners started and there was no separate time tracking pad, so I am not sure how they figured the time). I had to wait for the official results.
I got some water and then waited for Susi at the finish line. I was super-proud of her for running the race with me, as she said she hadn’t really been running lately and definitely hadn’t trained for the distance. She still ran the race and didn’t come in last! Sometimes it’s all about participating ( ← her own, very true!, words).
At 10:45 a.m. the Pride Festival started and the winners in each division (1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female in each the 5k and 10k race) were announced. We had just settled down with water and some fruit on the lawn to hang out for a bit.
Imagine my surprise, when I heard my name, all of a sudden. Now you won’t believe this, but I won 1st place in the female division of the 10k. Whaaaatttt?!
Last year, there was this super-speedy 13-year old that snagged 1st place with a time of 44+ minutes, so I had no delusions about placing, let alone winning the race this time around. Turns out though, the speedy people decided to stay home that day which gave someone like me a chance of coming in first at 54:19 (official PR, baby!).
Granted, there were only a small number of participants (and only 22 other women ran the 10k), but still. I felt stoked! I beat my time from last year by over 4 minutes, so I’ve definitely worked my butt off over the last few months and it paid off.
I got a fancy medal and then we enjoyed the festival and performance of the marching band for a little bit, before heading over to Crepeville to get some well-deserved brunch. I had an apple crepe and orange juice for my post-race meal (and devoured it before I could take a picture. Naturally.).
Moral of the story: do the work, run small races and you might actually get the chance to win a race and live to brag about it.
Linking up with Erika, Patty and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run again.
Emily
May 30, 2017 at 7:25 amCongratulations! That must have been amazing! I’ve always wanted to participate in a race/marathon, but end up getting scared. I really think that I want to participate in a race next year.
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:36 pmThank you, Emily! You should definitely sign up for a race next year… even if you start with a 5k! It’s such a great experience!
Beth
May 30, 2017 at 7:35 amCongratulations! That’s super awesome! I’ve been doing mostly 5ks but I’d love to work up to a 10k someday!
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:37 pmThank you! That is awesome that you have been doing 5k… that means you’re well on your way to a 10k! :)
Tanja
May 30, 2017 at 8:26 amWow, that’s so awesome – congrats girl!!!
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:37 pmThank you friend!!!
sTEFANIe
May 30, 2017 at 8:46 am(i AM NOT SURE WHY THIS IS IN ALL CAPS — caps Lock is turned off…) cONGRATULATIONS, sAN! that’s a fantastic time and I look forward to hearing all about your next half marathon. looking at your current times, I assume you are trying to beat the 2-hour mark?
sTEFANIe
May 30, 2017 at 8:47 amSorry, my keyboard is having some issues…
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:38 pmThank you, Stefanie!! I am indeed eyeing that 2-hour mark for the half… although I am not sure if the SF course is going to be the best course to achieve it, because it’s so ‘hilly’ ;) We’ll see!
Meesh
May 30, 2017 at 10:40 amAwesome!!! Congratulations. What a nice surprise, since you didn’t expect it at all!!
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:39 pmIt was a really nice unexpected surprise indeed! :)
Kimberly Hatting
May 30, 2017 at 12:00 pmAwesome job! That’s a great finish time, and a major PR! Are those Brooks Ravenna’s? They look just like some I have ;-)
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:39 pmThank you Kimberly! Yes, those are Brooks Ravennas! Love them! So cool you have the same ones!!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness
May 30, 2017 at 7:22 pmCongrats! Way to go on that huge PR!
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:39 pmThank you Lacey! It was awesome!
TObia | craftaliciousme
May 30, 2017 at 10:08 pmWoohoo. Congrats for winning the race. I feel like those unexpected wins are the best.
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:40 pmAbsolutely! :)
Marcia
May 31, 2017 at 4:29 amWow! Congrats that’s fantastic. What a great surprise to WIN! Your friend is so right. It’s all about participating.
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:40 pmThanks Marcia! It was a great surprise… but yes, it’s all about participating really!!!
Stephany
May 31, 2017 at 6:57 amThat’s AMAZING, San! Way to go on the first-place finish.
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:40 pmThanks, friend!!
Charlotte
June 1, 2017 at 8:19 amOmg congratulations!!! That’s incredible and you should feel so proud! And how wonderful your friend joined in this with you–she’s absolutely right about participating being the most important thing :)
san
June 4, 2017 at 8:41 pmThank you, Charlotte! It was such a fun day!