7 down 5 to go (AKA The Run of the Scorching Sun)

I was hoping the weekend storms would provide a break in the heat, but instead there were massive power outages and rising temperatures. The sun did not take the day of for the July 4th holiday and Let Freedom Run 5K in Fairfax, VA. Despite the scorching sun, over 1200 racers started their Independence Day celebrations with 3.1 intense calorie burning miles. (Just getting ready for all that cook-out food later!)

This race had me more pumped then any of the others because of the team we had racing together. We all ran/walked/rode at our own pace, but everyone finished! (Well, one of my brothers took a wrong turn before the finish line, but he made it over before we left!) Our team was my parents, my two brothers, my youngest sister, my sister-in-law, my aunt (dad's sister) and uncle, two friends, my husband, my kids and me. Quite the team, Montani Semper Liberi (Mountaineers are Always Free.) We came in 6th out of 13 teams with an average time (of the first four finishers) of 28:44. So thanks to the team I have a sub 30-minute 5K time! Way to go team!

The Team minus the Politician and the Enforcer

For this race, I decided not to take my phone with me on the road which, sadly, means no racing photos. There was only once at the beginning as we charged down a slight hill that I wish I had it to take a snap of the crowd ahead of me. A sea of mostly blue, red, and white flowing a long and taking the first bend in the course. 

The course was a loop around the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center and surrounding areas. The start and finish were on one of the many drags in the center right past all those shops we know and love. (I really do enjoy REI, I should have stopped in for some AC, haha.) 

Before the start we all slathered on the sunscreen and grabbed a last sip of water as we headed to the starting line. My mom and my aunt helped us out by pushing a stroller. The Enforcer was in a newest jogger and PT was in our double jogger/bike trailer. At the start, the Politician had his hand painted (he painted it) American flag shirt on and was ready to race. All three of the kids helped hand/finger paint their American themed shirts for the race. The Enforcer had two firecrackers and PT tried to paint some fireworks. Sadly, I didn't get a good picture of the boys! PT was quite adorable in her halter top tee and red/white/blue tutu. I was also sporting a tutu, though truth be told PT's looked heaps better.

PT and my mom

Somehow I missed the signage for the one-mile mark and even though I wore my hydration belt (so, so, so glad I did too) I was trying to run all the way to the water station, grab a water and walk a bit before hustling off to the finish. The water station was situation just past the half way point and it was such a nice site to see. Even though it was hot outside the water was cooler then my skin and provided a little bit of relief. The heat effects my more then cold weather does and every time I would take a sip I would splash both wrists and my neck with water. Towards the end I was pouring it on my forehead as well, anything for a bit of respite from the heat. 

I got a "go tutu lady" as I pushed it to the finish line. The crowd at the finish was great! People were linking the street on both sides after the last turn. Great energy to feed off of for a strong finish. 

After we finished, the Dad (about eight minutes before me) and I went back to grab a stroller. The Dad nabbed the Enforcer and I swung back around for PT. As I was running back one of the volunteers shouted "Hey, Cinderella, that's the wrong way!"  When I caught up to them before passing mile two again, the Politician was riding along next to PT and both of them looked HOT. PT had a bottle of water and I gave one to the Politician and my aunt and uncle sped off to the finish. 

My stats for this race: I finished the 5K in 33:41 for a pace of 10:51/mile. I was 789th out of 1224 finishers and 69th out of 135 in my age group. 

At the finish they were handing out waters and in the courtyard off to the side Muscle Milk, LaraBars and popsicles were provided for hungry, thirsty, hot racers. The Enforcer chowed down on graham crackers the whole race and was quite content while the older two dripped red, white and blue (mostly blue) stickiness all over their hands, faces and clothes. They were a patriotic image of summer. 

Things I learned from Race Number 7:

1. Bring extra sunscreen because most people will forget. Glad I had some to share! And with a 9 AM start the sun was staring down fiercely by the finish.
2. With only one lane of the four lane road blocked off for racers, there are a lot more opportunity for random spectators to honk and cheer wildly as they drive by. I enjoyed that quite a bit. 
3. Even though I don't really care for bananas after a race, I get upset if they aren't present.
4. I should stop before trying to high five someone going the other way. I completely missed while trying this simple gesture passing my dad as he headed to the last turn before the finish. Failed miserably. 
5. My older two have become very difficult to push in one stroller. Especially up hills.

Before the race I was toying with the idea, but my finish here cemented it. I am committing to a training plan to break 30 minutes for the Undy5000 in September. Lots of speed work and hoping for to cooler weather. Let's go!