This year both Nita and Mel ran the race, so I offered to pick Mel up and drive down to the start. This worked out well as we both needed to leave shortly after the race ended. Nita met us at the Blue Cross Arena as she was going to be at a friends downtown for the day. Mel and I found a spot in the parking lot next to the arena and text Nita to let her know we had parked. While we waited to hear from Nita we sat in my car hiding from the cold and the rain.
(Hiding from the rain)
Once Nita text us, we ventured over to the arena to meet her and the rest of our Team RWB buds.
(Group pic before the race)
Nita and I decided to run the race together, and we agreed on a 1 minute run to 30 second walk interval which we later switched to a 1 minute run to 45 second walk interval.
I like this race because it's a out and back course in downtown Rochester. It starts at the Blue Cross Arena and travels down Exchange street. Runners turn left and run across the Ford Street bridge then veer right onto Wilson Boulevard. The course travels along Wilson Boulevard for about 3 miles (1.5 miles out and 1.5 miles back). Wilson Boulevard travels along the edge of the University of Rochester campus and the Genesee River. Once runners have looped back down Wilson Boulevard, they once again veer left and cross the Ford Street bridge. Finally turn right back onto Exchange and head to the finish at the Blue Cross Arena.
(Map of the course. Source)
Once Nita and I had reached around 1.5 miles to 2 miles into the race, runners were starting to make their way back toward the finish. Nita and I cheered for the first few runners that passed by, and between our conversation we cheered for others. We also cheered for friends and teammates that we saw pass by on their way back to the finish. We saw our teammate Ashley running back toward us and we high-fived her and we ran past. We also had a random runner come up from behind us and yell "Yeah, Team RWB!" and he gave us both fist bumps!
We finally made it out to the halfway point where we turned around. We grabbed a small cup of water and kept going. At this point the runners had dispersed enough that we weren't uncomfortable and weaving in and out of people anymore. At this point I checked my watch and I noticed we were ahead of our last years time, so I was hopeful we'd keep with the pace!
On our way back down Wilson, another runner came up from behind us and started talking to us about our team RWB shirts. He said he had interviewed a few people who run for Team RWB on his radio show. We chatted with him for a few minutes and then he was off. We made out way up to the Lululemon staff who were out cheering. They had a table with gatorade and beer. Nita and I both grabbed a small cup of Gatorade and pressed on. It was lemon-lime (not my favorite), but still a nice gesture.
We finally made it up to the Ford Street bridge, as we crossed I told Nita what our current time was. We were both excited because we knew we were going to PR from our time from last year. I told Nita we should try for under an hour, but no matter what we'd still have the PR. She agreed. We pressed on, continuing our intervals. We finally made it to the home stretch and our teammates were all there cheering for us as we made our way to the finish line!
(Coming up on the finish!)
As I crossed the finish line, I stopped my watch and looked at my final time. 59:25, we had done it, we finished in under and hour!! Ashley and a few of our other teammates were right there at the finish. I gave Ashley a hug, and we congratulated each other. Nita grabbed us both waters, and we hung out a chatted for a few minutes with our friends.
(Photo Cred: Victoria Freile)
Nita and made our way into the Blue Cross Arena to find Mel. Inside we found more of our teammates, and we hung out for a few more minutes.
(I look like I might be dying here, haha)
Mel and I decided to head out after this picture was taken. She and I both had plans for the day that we needed to get to.
This was my second time running this race, and I absolutely love it! Here's why:
Pros:
Course: The out and back course is quick and easy. Again, I enjoy this because I'm not a fast runner, but it allows me to cheer for other runners, teammates and friends as they pass by and make their way back to the finish line. There's really not much change in elevation, just very small changes. Enough to make you feel it, but not make you cringe.
Distance: This is a 5 mile race which I personally like. Don't get me wrong, I love 5K's, but the longer distance makes me feel like I've accomplished more first thing in the morning.
Price: The race in inexpensive (though I'm sure that depends on who you ask). I paid less than $30.00, and that includes the Eventbrite online processing fee.
Swag: Registration for the race also includes a long sleeve cotton tee (which I love bopping around the house in, or wearing on my treadmill in the winter as my basement is freeing).
(I really liked this years shirt design)
Post Race Refreshments: I didn't partake in since I had to get home, but I think there were bagels, fruit, coffee and juice. There may have been more, but I didn't investigate.
Cons:
Processing Fee: This is just something we as runners have to get used to when registering for a race online. I believe all websites that offer race registration (Eventbrite, Active, Etc) all charge a processing fee. It's just annoying.
This was the first race of my running season, and I love that this one is my first one, even though my running season is going to have a bite taken out of it with my heart surgery this spring. If you live in or around the Rochester area, I highly suggest running this race in the future. I'm already looking forward to next year!
QOTD: Do you have a race local to your area that you like to run to kick off your running season?
