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A couple days ago, I read about a 5K hosted by the Iroquois Hill Runners.  The uniqueness of the race is the all you can eat pizza at the finish line.

Pizza is my favorite food so I knew I was down to run this race regardless of the 90° temps predicted in the forecast.

Another motivator was the $3 entry fee!  Yes, you read that correctly.   The race fee was only $2 for members of IHR. 

I am technically in week 1 of marathon training but still doing my normal routine because my training base is already weeks ahead.

I was up at 4:45 for spin class.  I got there late but still squeezed in an hour before work.  During lunch, I did my normal 1 mile walk.  I ate a few bites of fresh pineapple after work and made my way to Iroquois Park.

I’m guessing there were around 50 runners.  We were led to the starting line and given a “Ready, Set, Go!”

We ran counterclockwise around the park.  I am used to clockwise around this park so I wasn’t familiar with the hills and turns going backwards.  It was mentally challenging and took my mind off the sweat pouring off of me.

1st mile split- 7:18. 

I was 2nd place overall woman.  Before I knew it 2 ladies passed me but I caught both of them on the downhill as I lengthened my stride.  Thank God for long legs and my core held it all together.

2nd mile split- 7:49

The hills and heat are wearing on me.  The group has thinned out and it’s just me and the breathing of one of the chicks who I just passed.  She swooped in on an uphill curve.  I told myself I would pass her again.  The other girl was no where to be seen or heard.

We approached a water stop and I told the volunteers I would push to the end.  The energy to sip would cost my time and focus.  What’s 1 more mile? 

I was waiting for the last downhill so I could do my signature finishing sprint.   The one girl picked up her pace and I said forget trying to catch her.  3rd overall is good enough and this was my 2nd work out of the day.

But hold up!  Here comes another breather over my left shoulder.   I refused to let them pass me.  I could see the orange cones at the finish.  I knew it was a guy and every competitive bone in my body let him have it! 

I didn’t let the blister on my baby toe and the rubbed skin from improper spinning shoes slow my stride.  I beat him!

Garmin results:
Final time: 23:24
7:39 pace
3.06 miles

Due to the heat and time of day, this was the hardest 5K I have ever run.  Next, would be Hooters to Hooters in Clearwater,  FL (humidity) and #3 the Auto Show Shuffle due to the sub zero wind chills.

I wanted my photos to be post race.  Running is not a glamorous sport, especially in mid-June Kentucky heat.  My new Asic Kayano 19s performed well for their first test run.  My new shades are from the Dollar Tree. 🙂

Our reward was at the end…plenty of pizza!  Everyone was so friendly and telling me how good I ran.  One guy asked me if I ran in HS.  He said my form was excellent. 

I ate 2 plates of pizza.  Next thing I know, one of the IHR brought me over an XL box of pepperoni pizza.  I thanked him and told him I will give it to my students.

My Smoodents are going to love me for this!   I made them be good all day because I had a race after school.  They  know how seriously I take running.

The next IHR event will be the Ice Cream 5K on July 15th.  I will be there!

A special Thank You to Iroquois Pizza! 

♡KelsieLou♡

I don’t chase boys.  I pass them.